Worms are by far one of the most common parasites in cats in Thailand, and something I come across in almost every stray kitten I rescue.

While they are easy to treat, worms can make young kittens extremely sick, stunt their growth, and sometimes become fatal.

So, if you’ve adopted a kitten in Thailand or are feeding strays, you must be cautious of intestinal worms.

In this article, I’m sharing the telltale signs of worms in cats and how to treat these nasty parasites.

But be warned, a few gross images are coming up!

Are Worms Common In Cats In Thailand?

Worms are extremely common among kittens and cats in Thailand. However, there are several types of worms that cats can get, some of which are more common than others.

Is Ringworm A Parasite?

Despite what its name suggests, ringworm is not a worm – or a parasite at all. It is a fungal infection that appears on the skin, commonly as a red circle/ring rash.

Signs Of Worms In Cats

Sometimes you will realize a cat or kitten has worms by spotting them in their poop. But here are some other common symptoms to look out for.

Hard, Bloated Belly

A potbelly is the biggest telltale sign that a cat has roundworms.

It’s natural for kittens to have chunky bellies while they are growing, but their belly should feel soft and squishy. If it is very hard and bulges out to the sides, this suggests it’s worms, not a love for food.

Changes In Bowel Movements

Worms commonly cause diarrhea in cats and kittens. Alternatively, if a cat has a severe worm infestation, they can block the colon and cause constipation.

The image below shows a kitten shedding roundworms with a mucusy and bloody diarrhea.

Other Signs To Look Out For

• Inability to gain weight – Most kittens I have treated who had worms were either losing weight or stagnating. Healthy kittens should gain weight every day, so if they are not, worms could be the reason.
• Increased appetite (combined with no weight gain) – If a kitten always seems hungry and eats a lot yet isn’t gaining weight, this is a huge telltale sign that they have worms. Worms steal the nutrition from the food, so the kitten cannot feel full and nourished and, thus, feels constantly hungry.
• Lethargy – Kittens and cats should be alert, responsive, and playful. If a kitten doesn’t want to play or an adult cat is sleeping more than usual, and they have other symptoms on this list, they might have worms.
• Scooting – Another sign your cat may have worms is if you see them dragging their bottom along the floor. This suggests worms or worm eggs are irritating their bottom.
• Vomiting – In severe cases, cats will vomit the worms up.

You can easily diagnose worms via a fecal test, which is relatively low cost at vets in Thailand.

How Dangerous Are Worms In Cats And Kittens?

Worm infestations in young kittens can be severe and life-threatening.

They can stunt a kitten’s growth and development and lower their immune system, making them susceptible to other illnesses.

Worms can also cause severe diarrhea and vomiting, leading to dehydration, which, if not treated, becomes fatal.

In my experience, worm infestations combined with other illnesses are extremely dangerous in neonatal kittens.

One 3-week-old kitten (pictured above) I recently rescued started to crash on the second day in my care. She was unresponsive, struggling to breathe, and displaying neurological symptoms.

I rushed her to the emergency vet, where they stabilized her and ran multiple tests. The only issues they found were internal parasites – roundworms and coccidia (see below).

For this tiny, vulnerable kitten, a double whammy of intestinal parasites almost killed her.

What’s more, worms can live for months, and sometimes even years, in a cat’s intestinal tract.

So typically, worms become more harmful the longer a cat has them in its system.

They will eventually irritate the intestines so much that the lining starts to break down, causing blood in poop or mucus-like diarrhea.

Some worms, such as hookworms, can also cause anemia.

How To Treat A Cat For Worms In Thailand

The good news is that worms are very easy to treat.

Drontal is among the most popular dewormers for cats in Thailand. This oral medication (in tablet form) is suitable for kittens six weeks and older.

Drontal is a one-dose medication that contains two active ingredients: pyrantel and praziquantel. It kills:

• Tapeworms
• Hookworms
• Roundworms.

Another option for roundworms and hookworms is Revolution Plus spot on, which also protects against all external parasites, including:

• Fleas
• Mites
• Lice

Treating Worms In Neonatal Kittens

If you have a kitten younger than six weeks old with worms, you’ll need to give them an oral suspension* of pyrantel, such as Parax. However, note that Parax does not kill tapeworms.

You can give a kitten oral suspension dewormer as young as two weeks old. But for severe infestations, you should give a second dose two weeks later.

If you’re unsure how old a kitten is, refer to my guide on determining kitten age.

*Be sure to get this prescribed from a vet based on the kitten’s weight, as it is easy to misdose kittens on this medication.

How Long Do Worms Live In The Environment?

While the worms your cat sheds in its poop will likely be dead, they might shed live worm eggs or larvae.

Therefore, it’s essential to thoroughly clean the litter box and change the litter after the deworming treatment is complete. This will prevent the eggs from maturing and becoming infectious.

You will also need to clean the surfaces the cat has been on and wash all cat beds, as small particles of feces can contain worm eggs.

This is crucial as worm eggs can survive for weeks, months, or even years in some environments, reinfecting your cat.

Other Intestinal Parasites In Cats In Thailand

While worms are by far the most common feline intestinal parasites in Thailand, there are a couple of others worth knowing about.

Coccidia

Coccidia is a microscopic parasite that is much harder to spot than worms. It can be diagnosed through a fecal test, appearing as small round eggs or oocysts under a microscope.

Because the symptoms of coccidia are similar to worms, many people assume their cat has worms and give them a dewormer.

However, as dewormer does not kill coccidia, they will find that the symptoms do not go away. At this point, they will likely take them to a vet for a fecal test.

Signs Of Coccidia In Cats

• Diarrhea – often watery or mucusy and sometimes with blood
• Crying out when defecating
• Belly pain (crying out when touching belly)
• Lack of appetite
• Weight loss

Like worms, coccidia can cause severe dehydration and become life-threatening (especially in kittens) if left untreated.

How To Treat Coccidia In Cats

The standard treatment for coccidia in cats is antibiotics. This may be Sulfadimethoxine (Albon) or Metronidazole (Metrolex) – I used the latter to treat my foster kittens with coccidia.

Treatment time is typically two weeks, after which you can retest them to check it has cleared up.

Giardia

Although less common, giardia is another tiny parasite that can cause severe diarrhea and dehydration. Like with coccidia, cats with giardia typically have a mucusy stool, with or without blood.

While the symptoms are very similar, giardia has a different appearance under a microscope than coccida. Rather than round, giardia cysts are oval.

Metronidazole (Metrolex) can also be used to treat giardia, typically for a course of five to seven days.

Final Thoughts On Worms In Cats In Thailand

Intestinal parasites such as worms are prevalent among cats in Thailand. In my experience, they are one of the most common causes of diarrhea. So, if your cat has had diarrhea for more than a few days, I recommend taking them to the vet for a fecal test.

Moreover, if you suspect worms in a young kitten, it’s essential to act immediately. Worms can rapidly cause dehydration and weight loss in kittens, which can then become fatal.

For an estimate of how much it costs to test for and treat cat parasites, check out my article on vet prices in Thailand.