Vet Tips

Worm in Cats Causing Gastritis
03/18/2009

"Ollulanus tricuspis is a small worm, ≤1 mm long, that infects several animal species and occasionally induces a mild erosive or catarrhal gastritis in cats. Vomiting minutes to a few hours after eating is a common sign. The females are viviparous, so massive infections can build up endogenously. Transmission is via vomitus. Diagnosis is by microscopic demonstration of worms in the vomitus. The use of a Baermann apparatus enables the separation of the worms from ingesta, after which they are easier to observe. Therapeutic efficacy in cats has been demonstrated with fenbendazole (20-50 mg/kg, PO, sid for 3 days) and levamisole (5 mg/kg, SC, once), although these are not approved treatments."

Copyright © 2008; Merck & Co., Inc. Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA. All rights reserved. Published in education partnership with Merial Ltd.

Submitted by:
Merck Veterinary Manual