A Purrfectly Effective Defence Against Parasites: NexGard Spectra for Cats
Prevention For The Whole Family
An essential part of cat ownership is keeping them safe from harmful parasites. Some parasites, such as intestinal worms and heartworms, can have serious, even deadly health consequences. Fleas and mites, while often seen as more of a nuisance, can cause significant discomfort and skin issues as well as transmit diseases.
Beyond the direct impact on your cat’s well-being, some of these parasites can also be transmitted to humans. It’s worth noting that the larvae of Toxocara (roundworm) can infect humans and, in some cases, cause fevers, coughing, abdominal pain and permanent eye damage – though this is rare.
Intestinal Worms
The most common types of intestinal worms that affect cats are roundworm, hookworm, and tapeworm. They can contract these worms from their mothers, other animals, eating offal or other animals, or even from the environment. Ingesting fleas when grooming can also be a source of infection. Because intestinal worms have complex life cycles, adult worm infections are only part of the problem. Immature stages may be developing elsewhere, making treatment more challenging.
Signs of intestinal worms in cats may include vomiting, diarrhoea, a pot-bellied appearance, weight loss and anaemia.
Occasionally, it may be possible to see worms in cat feces or around their rear. However, specific tests are usually required to diagnose a worm infestation by detecting the presence of worm eggs.
It is important to know that sometimes there are no obvious symptoms of worms in cats.
Intestinal worms can be transmitted to humans, with children being most at risk.
Fleas
Fleas are a common problem for cats. These small, wingless insects are known for their exceptional jumping ability. The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, is the most common flea species infesting cats in Australia.
Fleas are more than just a nuisance; they can cause skin disease, irritation and, in large numbers, anemia. They can even transmit infectious or parasitic diseases, some of which can be transmitted to humans.
Fleas are small and fast-moving, making them difficult to spot. They appear as tiny, dark red or brownish ovals. If you do see one, be prepared for it to disappear quickly as it crawls or jumps away. Sometimes, instead of the fleas themselves, you might see flea dirt on your cat. Flea dirt is actually flea feces and resembles regular dirt.
Cats can acquire fleas from environments frequented by other flea-infested animals, such as your home, backyard, or other outdoor areas. The flea life cycle comprises four stages: eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults. Only the adults live on your cat; the other stages are found in the cat’s environment. A single female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day.
Surprisingly, adult fleas represent only about 5% of the total flea population. The remaining 95% consists of eggs, pupae, and larvae, which reside in your cat’s environment—their bedding, carpets, and even furniture.
Flea pupae can remain dormant for up to two years under the right conditions!
Mites
Mange is a skin disease caused by parasitic mites that can affect both kittens and cats. Mites are tiny, external parasites that can lead to severe irritation of the skin or ears which can significantly impact your cat’s quality of life.
The two main types are otodectic mange (ear mites) and notoedric mange, also known as feline scabies. Mites are typically spread through direct contact with other cats or dogs. Symptoms can include scratching around the head and ears, head shaking, dark discharge and an unpleasant odour from the ears, crusting and scaling of the skin, and hair loss.
Is It That Time Again?
As fleas, ticks, and some intestinal worms live in the environment, both indoors and outdoors, and heartworm is transmitted by mosquitos, consistent parasite prevention helps disrupt their life cycles and reduce the overall parasite population in your home.
When it comes to treating and preventing these parasites, convenience is key. Nobody enjoys the struggle of administering a foul-tasting pill to their cat each month. A more pleasant experience for both you and your feline friend makes consistent treatment, and therefore parasite protection for you and your family, much more likely.
NexGard Spectra For Cats
We recommend NexGard Spectra for Cats as an easy-to-use broad-spectrum parasite prevention solution. NexGard Spectra is simple to administer, fast-acting, and effective. Once a month, simply apply the liquid to your cat’s skin between their shoulder blades using the specially designed applicator. The liquid is generally well-tolerated and not offensive to cats’ sense of smell.
As the most comprehensive treatment on the market, NexGard Spectra for Cats protects your cat from a variety of parasites:
- Heartworm
- Lungworm
- Intestinal worms (roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms)
- Fleas
- Ticks
- Mites & Ear Mites
Promotion
Paws At Prospect Vet offers a veterinary exclusive promotion on NexGard Spectra for Cats:
While NexGard Spectra for Cats is safe and effective for most cats, this advice is general and does not consider your cat’s specific needs. We recommend discussing parasite prevention with your cat’s veterinarian as they can assess your cat’s specific needs.
