Roundworms live in the small intestine of cats. They are round worms that can grow up to fifteen centimeters in length. Their color ranges from yellowish-white to pink. Roundworms are usually not visible in a cat’s stool, but they can sometimes be seen in vomit.
Adult roundworms lay eggs in the cat’s small intestine. These eggs are excreted via the cat’s stool and end up in the environment. After a few weeks, a larva develops inside the egg, which can infect other animals or humans. These infectious eggs can survive for over a year. Roundworm infections can also be transmitted through intermediate hosts such as rodents and birds, which are eaten by the cat.
When the cat ingests infectious eggs, they reach the intestine. There, the larva hatches, penetrates the intestinal wall, and enters the liver. After passing through the liver, the larvae travel through the bloodstream to the lungs. From the lungs, they are coughed up via the windpipe and swallowed again. Back in the small intestine, the larva matures into an adult worm. The adult worms then lay eggs, repeating the cycle.
Cats can become infected by rolling or sniffing in grass contaminated with infectious roundworm eggs. Licking their paws or eating an infected mouse can also lead to infection.
Adult cats often build resistance against roundworms. The larvae then remain dormant in the body. When a female cat becomes pregnant, the larvae migrate to the uterus and mammary glands. In this way, newborn kittens can also become infected with roundworms.
Because kittens have not yet built up immunity to roundworms, the impact of the infection can be significant. The infection is recognizable by a "worm belly," which means the kitten has a swollen abdomen while remaining thin and growing poorly. Gas buildup, diarrhea, and vomiting are also common symptoms of a roundworm infection.
In adult cats, a roundworm infection is difficult to recognize. The cat often shows non-specific symptoms such as loose stools and lethargy. Through fecal examination, roundworm eggs can be identified in the stool.
To prevent and control roundworm infections, it is important to have regular fecal examinations performed. In kittens, the stool should be examined for the first time at 2 weeks of age, and then every 2 weeks until they are separated from their mother. The mother cat’s stool should be examined at the same time as the kittens, since she can become infected through their droppings. Once the kittens have left the mother, their stool should be examined monthly until they reach 6 months of age.
For cats older than 6 months, the advice is to perform a fecal examination at least 4 times a year. If the cat is at high risk of infection, we recommend sending in samples more frequently.
If the fecal test shows that your cat is infected with roundworms, we will provide a personalized treatment plan. This way, your cat's health is prioritized and unnecessary deworming is avoided. Feel free to contact our team if you have any questions; we’re happy to help.
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