Ragdoll Cat

　　Ascariasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by roundworms infecting humans, livestock, and animals. Clinically, young cats show growth retardation and commonly manifest roundworm pneumonia as the main characteristic. Usually, cats, dogs, and other animals become infected by eating food containing infectious eggs, or through sucking colostrum. If infectious eggs are ingested by intermediate hosts such as earthworms, cockroaches, birds, mice, and other animals, larvae form cysts in tissues without developing, and cats become infected by eating these transport hosts. Dogs, cats, and other animals roam freely and defecate everywhere; when conditions are suitable, eggs develop into infectious eggs, easily infecting healthy dogs and cats. This disease can cause death in cats.

　　Symptoms:

　　Affected cats show progressive weight loss, enlarged abdominal girth, growth retardation, vomiting, and pica. Heavy infections can cause intestinal obstruction, intussusception, or even intestinal perforation. Migrating roundworm larvae pass through the lungs causing respiratory symptoms such as coughing and, in severe cases, difficulty breathing, presenting as pneumonia.

　　Treatment methods:

　　Pyrantel pamoate 100 mg/kg body weight, single oral dose, to remove adult worms; Around 2 weeks old cats, 20 mg/kg body weight, single oral dose, to remove immature worms. Levamisole 10 mg/kg body weight, oral, once daily for several days. Praziquantel 50 mg/kg body weight, single oral dose. Albendazole 10 mg/kg body weight, oral, twice daily for 2 days.

　　Preventive measures:

　　1 Deworm cats starting at 20 days old, monthly once; after 7 months old, once quarterly. Feed clean and hygienic food. Due to the large number of eggs and strong resistance, tools must be scalded with boiling water. Feces should be composted.

　　2 People should wash hands frequently after touching domestic cats and dogs, and regular checkups are necessary when needed. (Source：PetsZone)