The veterinarian diagnoses most worm infections by identifying the characteristic eggs of the different species in the faeces. However, there are several exceptions. The eggs of the Capillaria plica are passed in the urine and Dirofilaria microfilariae are found in the blood. Strongyloides eggs usually hatch in the intestines; therefore, first stage larvae are found in the faeces of an infected cat.

The major types of eggs which are present in feline faeces include:

Strongyle-type eggs

The hookworms, Ancylostoma, and Uncinaria, lay "strongyle type" eggs which are oval with smooth thin shells. When laid, the eggs have already begun to develop and are called "segmented" because the inner mass has split into a group of cells (fig 1).

Lungworm and Whipworm

Capillaria, the lungworm, lays barrel shaped eggs with a transparent plug at each end. The plugs of the Capillaria egg are often asymmetrically placed (fig 2a lungworm).

Toxascaris

Toxascaris leonina eggs are slightly oval with smooth, thick shells (fig 4).

Toxocara

Toxocara cati, the common feline roundworm, lays round eggs with thick, pitted shells (fig 5).

Cestodes

Common Tapeworms

Dipylidium caninum, known as the common tapeworm, sheds elongated segments called proglottids that resemble rice grains. Each proglottid contains packets of eggs (fig 6).

Taenia species are passed in the faeces as eggs that are round with thick striated coats. Each egg contains a larvae with six hooks.

Control

Summary