Cat specific Worms

Cestodes (tapeworms)

Cestodes, or tapeworms, owe their name to the flat, tape-like shape of their bodies. They parasitise the small intestine of the final host where they can grow to considerable lengths.

Taenia taeniaformis

This tapeworm appears mainly in cats. It grows up to 60 cm long, and has no neck. Its wide, spherical scolex has a ring with alternating small and large hooks whose root segments are divided like wing nuts.
 
 
 
 
 

Echinococcus multilocularis

Echinococcus multilocularis appears in its adult form predominantly in foxes. Mature worms achieve lengths between 1.5 and 3 mm. The last gravid proglottis is smaller than the other 4 or 5. The scolex has a ring with 26 to 36 small hooks.
 
 

Dipylidium caninum (flea tapeworm)

Dipylidium canium is the most common tapeworm in cats and dogs. The entire chain of parasitic flatworm segments (strobila) is approx. 20 – 45 cm long. There are four suckers and a rostellum bearing 3 to 5 rings of hooks on the small head. The gravid segments are approx. 7 to 12 cm long and 2 to 3 mm wide and resemble cucumber seeds.
 
 

Mesocestoides lineatus

This tapeworm species grows up to 40 cm long and 2 mm wide and is identifiable by a paruterine organ on the final proglottis. The head has four suckers, but no hooks.
 
 

Nematodes (roundworms):

Nematodes are roundworms of varying sizes, which live in the intestine of their host. They attach themselves via their lip-disks or hooks to the wall of the intestine and feed on mucous, blood or intestinal contents.

Ascarids (maw worms):

Toxocara cati

Maw worms are evenly round, and resemble spaghetti. Toxocara cati grows 6 to 10 cm long. The front end has three lips with sensory papillae and wide, ribbed cervical wings.
 
 

Toxascaris leonina

Maw worms are evenly round, and resemble spaghetti. Toxascaris leonina grows 7 to 10 cm long. The front end has three lips with sensory papillae and long, narrow cervical wings.
  
 

Hookworms:

Ancylostoma tubaeforme

Adult hookworms are characterized by teeth in the oral cavity. Ancylostoma tubaeforme has two large dental plates, each of which has three teeth. The worm grows to approx. 10 to 16 mm.