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