Whipworms are slender worms about 5–7 centimeters long. They are thin at the front and thick at the back. Whipworms live in the cecum and large intestine of cats, dogs, and foxes.
When the temperature rises above 4 °C, larvae begin to develop inside the whipworm eggs, allowing other animals to become infected. As long as the temperature stays above 4 °C, the eggs can remain infectious for 3 to 5 years.
Once ingested, the larvae continue to develop in the intestines. In the large intestine, they mature into adult worms. The development into a mature worm takes about 60 to 90 days. An adult worm can live for up to 1.5 years and lay eggs during this entire period.
The whipworm lives in the cecum and large intestine of the cat. The thin part of the worm lies beneath the intestinal mucosa, while the thicker part is inside the intestinal lumen. Due to their position in the gut, whipworms damage the intestinal wall and cause bloody diarrhea, mucus-filled stool, and weight loss. The cat’s abdomen may be painful and swollen, and in severe cases, anemia can occur. Kittens may die as a result of a whipworm infection.
Whipworms are most common in enclosures where cleaning is inadequate. Therefore, a good hygiene policy is essential to prevent whipworm infections. Remove your cat’s feces as much as possible and clean the living environment. High-pressure steam cleaning has proven to be effective. Disinfectants are usually not effective against whipworms.
We recommend having your cat’s feces examined at least four times a year to detect any infections early. If the fecal test shows that your cat is infected with whipworms, we will provide you with a personalized treatment plan. This ensures your cat’s health is prioritized and unnecessary deworming is avoided. Feel free to contact our team if you have any questions; we are happy to help.
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