Capillariasis in Cats

Infection with Capillaria plica in Cats

One type of worms in cats is caused by the parasitic worm known as Capillaria – the condition is capillariasis. The worm infects the urinary bladder and sometimes other parts of the urinary tract.

Symptoms and Types

Often, there are no symptoms and diagnosis of the cat worm is incidental. However, especially in cats with a heavy infection, symptoms include:

• Frequent urination
• Painful urination
• Bloody urine
• Straining to urinate

Infected cats are usually over 8 months of age.

Causes

Capillaria plica and Capillaria feliscati are the parasitic worms that can cause capillariasis in cats. The lifecycle of the worm is not completely understood. However, we know that ova (worm eggs) pass out through the urine of infected cats. These ova embryonate and then may be ingested from the soil by earthworms. The Capillaria worm then continues to develop inside the earthworm to an infective stage. When another cat then ingests the earthworm, infection can occur.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of this cat worm is through identification of Capillaria ova in the urine of the infected cat. The ova are characteristic in appearance: football-shaped with plugs at both ends of the ova.

Treatment

Treatment is often not recommended if the cat is not ill. However, if symptoms of worm infection are present, fenbendazole or ivermectin can be used to treat the infection.

Prevention

Keeping cats indoors, where there is no access to earthworms, should prevent capillariasis.