| Parasites are organisms that survive by feeding | | | | worm, rather the name for a type of fungus, |
| off of other creatures. Among cats, parasites | | | | related to the fungus that causes athlete's foot in |
| generally feed on the animal's blood. Detecting | | | | humans. It usually causes no discomfort, but is |
| internal parasites can be difficult, but a close | | | | highly contagious to other cats and humans. If left |
| inspection of skin and fur is usually all that is | | | | untreated it weakens the immune system and |
| needed to uncover traces of external parasites | | | | leaves your cat vulnerable to other, more serious |
| such as ear mites and fleas. There are many | | | | diseases.Fleas are perhaps the most infamous pet |
| types of worms that are internal parasites to | | | | parasite. Although they eat no more than a drop |
| cats. If you see small, rice like debris around your | | | | of blood each, a flea infestation can cause anemia |
| cat's anus or in her bedding, take her to your | | | | in adult cats and death in kittens. In addition to |
| veterinarian. He will need to run simple tests to | | | | literally sucking the life from your cat, fleas often |
| identify what type of worm is present so that he | | | | transmit tapeworms, as serious internal parasite. |
| can prescribe the proper medication to eliminate | | | | Just a few fleas can cause great discomfort to |
| the parasite.Coccidia are microscopic parasites. | | | | your cat, especially if she is one of the many |
| They live in cells within the lining of the intestines. | | | | animals allergic to fleabites. The best way to |
| The most common symptom is diarrhea. Left | | | | conquer a flea invasion is to prevent it in the first |
| untreated, the animal becomes extremely weak | | | | place.Daily grooming, especially if you allow your |
| and dehydrated. Fortunately coccidiosis is | | | | cat outdoors will help you keep one step ahead of |
| treatable. Drugs such as sulfadimethoxine (Albon) | | | | the flea hordes. As you flea-comb your cat, dip |
| and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen) are | | | | the comb into a container of soapy water to kill |
| effective in the treatment and prevention of | | | | the fleas. The soap film coats and suffocates the |
| coccidia. However, these drugs do not kill the | | | | fleas.Ask your veterinarian about preventative |
| parasites, but rather inhibit reproduction - | | | | flea medications. These are given to your cat |
| elimination of coccidia from the intestine is | | | | orally. The chemical they contain is harmless to |
| slow.Ear mites take up residence in a cat's ear | | | | your cat, but makes fleas sterile. It is absorbed |
| canals. As they feed, they cause intense itching. A | | | | into your cat's blood, so when a flea bites her it |
| cat suffering from an infestation of ear mites | | | | cannot reproduce.If your cat has had fleas in the |
| scratches behind her ears often and is seen | | | | past, it is very likely that you have flea eggs and |
| violently shaking her head on a regular basis. If | | | | larvae in your carpet and upholstery. Your |
| you look inside her ears, you will see dark flecks | | | | veterinarian can suggest a "flea bomb" based on |
| that resemble coffee grounds - these are the | | | | how bad the infestation is. It is important to follow |
| mites' droppings. If you suspect ear mites, | | | | the package instructions carefully and repeat |
| contact your veterinarian.There are several | | | | treatment as directed in order to make sure all |
| effective treatments for ear mites, such as | | | | the generations are eliminated.Pet Medication |
| Fipronil (Frontline) and Selamectin (Revolution). Ear | | | | Supplies can help you get the best possible |
| mites are easily treated with eardrops, but are | | | | supplies for your pet. Advantix, Arthramine, |
| very contagious to other cats. If you have a | | | | Cosequin, Frontline, Heartgard - find the best deals |
| multi-cat household, isolate the infected cat as | | | | in pet medication for flea and tick control, arthritis |
| soon as possible. Ear mites are not transmitted | | | | and lyme disease. Up to 50% discount everyday |
| from cats to humans.Ringworm is not a true | | | | on brand names. |