GP diagnosed neck lumps in cat caregiver as worms from her cat. He was wrong.

Francesca Knee-Wright, from Brighton, had only given birth to her second child three months before she noticed a 'very small' lump on her neck. She had it checked out and was told to watch and wait. More lumps developed and her GP told her that they were caused by parasitic worms (endoparasites - probably roundworms) that she had acquired from her two Spanish rescue cats.

Francesca Knee-Wright. Image: Kennedy News and Media

She queried this and a second opinion diagnosed something entirely different and far more serious: Hodgkin's lymphoma which is a relatively aggressive form of blood cancer that can quickly spread through the body.

She is on chemotherapy and shaved her hair to stop the difficult emotional effect of watching her hair fall out.

Having read the story I did some research on the roundworm and whether it could cause lumps as described. They can.  Here is the lowdown:

Can roundworms in cats be transmitted to humans?

Yes, roundworms in cats can be transmitted to humans, specifically through a process called zoonotic transmission. This type of transmission usually happens if a person accidentally ingests roundworm eggs, which are shed in the feces of infected cats. These eggs can survive in soil, sand, and other outdoor environments for long periods, making it relatively easy for humans to come into contact with them, especially in areas frequented by cats.

In humans, roundworm larvae can migrate through body tissues in a condition known as toxocariasis, which can affect the liver, lungs, eyes, and other organs. Children are particularly vulnerable because they are more likely to come into contact with contaminated soil or sand and might not practice proper hand hygiene.

To prevent transmission, some key measures include:

• Regular deworming of pets, as advised by a veterinarian
• Practicing good hygiene, especially washing hands thoroughly after handling cats, cleaning litter boxes, or coming into contact with soil or sand
• Covering sandboxes to prevent animals from using them as litter boxes
• Avoiding bare-hand contact with soil or areas where cats might defecate.

If you have any concerns about toxocariasis or the possibility of exposure, consult a healthcare provider for advice on testing and treatment.

And these worms inhabit the gut of the human. Correct?

Actually, no—roundworms in humans generally don’t mature in the gut as they do in cats. Instead, when humans accidentally ingest roundworm eggs, the eggs hatch in the intestines, but the larvae don’t settle there. Instead, they migrate through various body tissues in a process called larval migrans.

There are two primary types:

1. Visceral Larva Migrans (VLM): The larvae travel to organs like the liver, lungs, and sometimes the brain. This can cause symptoms like fever, fatigue, coughing, or abdominal pain, depending on which organs are affected.

2. Ocular Larva Migrans (OLM): Sometimes, larvae reach the eyes, which can lead to eye inflammation, vision problems, and even vision loss if untreated.

Since roundworms don't complete their life cycle in humans, they can’t develop into adults in the gut. Instead, they become trapped in body tissues, where they eventually die but may cause inflammation and other symptoms.

And the larvae mature to adult worms in these locations?

No, in humans, roundworm larvae do not mature into adult worms. Instead, they remain in the immature larval stage throughout their lifecycle in human tissues. After hatching in the intestines, the larvae migrate to various organs and tissues but lack the necessary environment to mature fully as they would in a cat or other definitive host.

In these human tissues, the larvae often cause localized inflammation as they move through, but they eventually die off without maturing into adult worms. This can still result in significant symptoms, especially if they reach sensitive areas like the eyes or organs, but full-grown adult worms are not seen in human cases of roundworm infection.

Can they cause lumps in the neck?

Yes, roundworm larvae migrating through human tissues can, in some cases, cause lumps or swollen areas, although this is less common. When the larvae travel through or lodge in tissues, they can trigger an immune response, leading to localized inflammation or granulomas (small nodules formed by immune cells around the larvae).

In the neck, this could potentially result in lumps if the larvae pass through lymph nodes or surrounding tissues, but it’s more typical for them to affect organs like the liver, lungs, or eyes. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck can also react as part of a systemic immune response to the infection, although this symptom can be caused by a wide range of other conditions.

If there’s a persistent lump or swelling in the neck, it’s best to consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis, as they may recommend tests to rule out or confirm conditions like toxocariasis.

------------

P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.

Overview of the diseases that can be transmitted to cats through ticks and fleas

A study looked at the diseases that a cat can acquire through ticks and fleas. This is a summary. It may be useful for cat caregivers.

Amusing but not amusing in reality! Image: DALLE. 

TICKS

Cats can contract several diseases from ticks, although these infections are generally less common in cats than in dogs. Here are some of the key tick-borne diseases that can affect cats:

1. Cytauxzoonosis

• Cause: This disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Cytauxzoon felis.
• Transmission: It is transmitted by ticks, particularly the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum).
• Symptoms: Symptoms include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, jaundice, difficulty breathing, and sometimes sudden death. The disease progresses rapidly and is often fatal if not treated promptly.

2. Anaplasmosis

• Cause: Anaplasmosis is caused by the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum.
• Transmission: This bacteria is transmitted primarily by the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), which is also known as the deer tick.
• Symptoms: Symptoms in cats may include fever, lethargy, joint pain, loss of appetite, and anemia. Although more common in dogs, cats can still be affected.

3. Ehrlichiosis

• Cause: Ehrlichiosis is caused by bacteria from the genus Ehrlichia, with Ehrlichia canis being a common species.
• Transmission: Ticks, particularly the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus), are the primary vectors.
• Symptoms: Infected cats may show signs such as fever, lethargy, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, and anemia. While rare in cats, it can lead to chronic infections if not treated.

4. Lyme Disease (Borreliosis)

• Cause: Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.
• Transmission: The disease is transmitted by the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis).
• Symptoms: Cats may experience fever, lethargy, lameness, joint pain, and loss of appetite. Lyme disease is more commonly recognized in dogs and humans, but cats can be infected as well.

5. Tularemia

• Cause: Tularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis.
• Transmission: It can be transmitted by several tick species, including the dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) and the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum).
• Symptoms: Symptoms in cats include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, swollen lymph nodes, and abscesses. Tularemia can be severe and is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can also infect humans.

6. Babesiosis

• Cause: Babesiosis is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia.
• Transmission: Transmitted by various tick species, though it's more commonly reported in dogs, cats can still be infected.
• Symptoms: Cats may show signs of fever, anemia, lethargy, and jaundice. Babesiosis is rare in cats but can occur.

7. Hepatozoonosis

• Cause: Hepatozoonosis is caused by protozoan parasites from the genus Hepatozoon.
• Transmission: Cats typically acquire the infection by ingesting an infected tick rather than through a bite.
• Symptoms: Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, weight loss, and lethargy. Hepatozoonosis is uncommon in cats.

These diseases highlight the importance of regular tick prevention and monitoring for symptoms in cats, especially in areas where ticks are prevalent.

FLEAS

Cats can contract several diseases from fleas, some of which can be serious or even life-threatening. Here are the key flea-associated diseases that can affect cats:

1. Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)

• Cause: Flea Allergy Dermatitis is an allergic reaction to flea saliva.
• Symptoms: Cats with FAD experience intense itching, skin inflammation, hair loss, scabbing, and secondary skin infections due to excessive scratching and grooming. Even a few flea bites can trigger this condition in sensitive cats.

2. Bartonellosis (Cat Scratch Disease)

• Cause: This bacterial infection is caused by Bartonella henselae and is transmitted by fleas.
• Symptoms: Infected cats may show mild to no symptoms, but when symptoms do occur, they can include fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, and inflammation of the gums, eyes, or heart. Cats can also transmit this disease to humans through scratches or bites, where it may cause swollen lymph nodes, fever, and other symptoms.

3. Hemoplasmosis (Feline Hemotropic Mycoplasmosis)

• Cause: This disease is caused by blood-borne bacteria known as Mycoplasma haemofelis and related species, transmitted by flea bites.
• Symptoms: Cats with hemoplasmosis may develop anemia, fever, weakness, loss of appetite, and jaundice. The disease can be severe, especially in immunocompromised cats or those with other underlying health conditions.

4. Tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum)

• Cause: Tapeworm infection occurs when a cat ingests a flea that is carrying the tapeworm larvae.
• Symptoms: Infected cats may show signs of weight loss, vomiting, or see small segments of the tapeworm (resembling grains of rice) around the anus or in the feces. While not usually severe, tapeworms can cause discomfort and gastrointestinal upset.

5. Flea-Borne Rickettsiosis

• Cause: Caused by Rickettsia felis, a type of bacteria transmitted by fleas.
• Symptoms: Infected cats might show non-specific symptoms such as fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Though more commonly recognized in humans, rickettsiosis can affect cats as well.

6. Plague (Yersinia pestis)

• Cause: While rare, fleas can transmit the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which causes the plague.
• Symptoms: Cats with plague may exhibit fever, swollen lymph nodes, respiratory distress, and lethargy. This disease is very serious and can be fatal if not treated promptly. It's also zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted to humans.

7. Flea-Borne Typhus

• Cause: Flea-borne typhus is caused by Rickettsia typhi, transmitted by fleas.
• Symptoms: Symptoms in cats are generally mild but can include fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. The disease is more commonly recognized in humans, particularly in regions where flea infestations are prevalent.

8. Feline Infectious Anemia

• Cause: Feline infectious anemia is primarily associated with Mycoplasma haemofelis and similar organisms, which are transmitted by fleas.
• Symptoms: Anemia, lethargy, weakness, and jaundice are common signs. Severe cases can lead to life-threatening conditions if not treated.

These diseases highlight the importance of flea prevention and control in cats. Regular use of veterinary-approved flea preventatives can help protect cats from these flea-associated diseases.

------------

P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. Also, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable.

Can kittens be born with fleas and worms?

In short, kittens cannot be born with fleas but they can get them from their bedding or their mother very quickly. For me this means that anyone who's involved in breeding their cat (which should not happen by the way unless they are a breeder registered with a cat association) needs to ensure that the queen's nest is spotless in terms of fleas. No fleas in the mother's den would seem to be common sense. Or on the mother. And around the home generally.

Cat flea. Image: MikeB

I am sure though that in homes where cats are breeding informally there are piles of fleas because the owner is behaving irresponsibly. I can visual that scenario quite easily. Many kittens will have a flea infestation at an early age and it will be a treat to their life.

Resistance to fleas is age related: old and young are more vulnerable. They have less resistance and they will be debilitated and some will probably die.

Worms

Neither can kittens be born with worms but they can be infected through nursing so if the mother has worms so will her kittens.

Once again this points to the standard of caregiving in taking proactive steps before the queen becomes pregnant. Is she in good health? And worm-free?

Mother cat and her newborn kittens. Pixabay.

The problem with kittens being infected with worms is the same as stated for fleas above. How good are the proactive steps in preventing both endoparasites (worms) and ectoparasites (fleas) taking up residence in and on kittens before the mother becomes pregnant?

It is pretty obvious that in most non-cat breeder homes proactive steps are rarely taken. Kittens will have a tough start to life and some will die.

The First Siamese Cats in the Western World

Mrs Vyvyan of Dover, England, UK was the person who first brought the Siamese cat to the Western world from the Orient. The year: 1886. I am sure that snippet of information will be disputed by many! However, it comes from Mrs Vyvyan herself who sent the information to Harrison Weir, the founder of the cat fancy. This is referred to in Harrison Weir's book: Our Cats and all about them at pages 77-79.

If she is not the first, she is one of the first and it is, therefore, interesting to hear what Mrs Vyvyan has to say about the Siamese cat - the original version before cat breeders in the West got hold of the breed and mangled it 😉.

We don't have a photo of her Siamese cats (if you can help, please comment) but below is an early Siamese showing a normal body conformation and head shape.

An early Siamese cat showing a normal body conformation and head shape. Photo: Wikipedia Commons and in the public domain.

Her experiences with this famous breed relate to Siamese cats that came direct from Siam (now Thailand). She nursed and cared for the original Siamese cats believed to have come from the King's Palace and sent to her from Bangkok. At the time she was in China.

These are some of the comments she makes about the first Siamese cats in the western world. I think her comments will interest aficionados of the Siamese cat breed.

"They are very affectionate and personally attached to their human friends, not liking to be left alone, and following us from room to room more after the manner of dogs than cats." 

We know that the Siamese cat is famous for their loyalty, close relationships with people and being talkative - see character. She confirms this.

She says that the male Siamese is very strong and that they fight with strange dogs. The male Siamese can "conquer all other tom-cats in their neighbourhood". 

Apparently, while Mrs Vyvyan was living in China one of her cats had had a fight with a wild cat and lost. He was killed but managed to walk home before dying.

Being the time before the existence of pet food manufacturers Mrs Vyvyan fed her cats fresh fish with boiled rice, bread, warm milk, chicken and game.

She supported the idea that they were better off going out and catching their own food, "feather and fur".

Mrs Vyvyan said:

"We find these cats require a great deal of care, unless they live in the country, and become hardy through being constantly out of doors". 

A thought which is out-of-step with today's trend towards indoor cats. She said that kittens are more likely to survive if born in late spring so they could benefit from the warmer weather.

The predominant illness in her kittens appears to have been worms. They were so bad the kittens tried to vomited them up. She gave them raw chicken with heads and with feathers on as a relief from the discomfort.

She describes the gradual development of the pointing. The first Siamese cats were seal pointed. This is the classic pointing. Breeders have developed a lot of different colours for the pointing including lynx (tabby) pointing. Mr Vyvyan believed that the "true breed, by consensus of opinion" was the seal point which she describes as, "of the dun, fawn, or ash ground, with black points." She mentions other colours which implies that even then there were other colours. I think chocolate pointing has been referred to as an original color. Although Mrs Vyvyan didn't refer to this.

"When first born the colour is nearly pure white, the only trace of 'points' being a fine line of dark gray at the edge of the ears; gradual alteration takes place, the body becoming creamy, the ears, face, tail, and feet darkening, until, about a year old, they attain perfection, when the points should be the deepest brown, nearly black, and the body ash or fawn colour, the eyes opal or blue, looking red in the dark. After maturity they are apt to darken considerably, though not all specimens."

Mrs Vyvyan says that the Siamese is a delicate cat (she is referring to a delicacy of health). She recommends that only a "real cat lover" should get involved in caring for a Siamese cat. They still are delicate, ironically, due to selective breeding. They have the most inherited genetic illnesses of all the cat breeds.

She refers to the intelligence of the Siamese cat. This is a known quality and in fact the Siamese related cats such as the Oriental Shorthair are also rated in the top bracket for cat breed intelligence, if you believe such things.

Harrison Weir's drawing of a Siamese cat's head pointing 1889.

To finish off this page I'll show you what Harrison Weir considers to be the "properly marked Siamese cat". The picture above is also interesting for the shape of the head. This is a perfect example of a traditional Siamese cat. That is the way the Siamese cat looked in Siam before 1886! The modern Siamese or even the Thai cat are not representative of the original Siamese cat.

Associated page: Siamese cat history.

Note - copyright. I have decided that, despite what some have said, the copyright in Harrison Weir's book has expired due the passage of time and it is now in the public domain. If I am wrong, please tell me and I will take prompt action. 

List of the kind of parasites inside stray cats in the Middle East

It may interest cat owners to understand better the kind of endoparasites (parasites living inside an animal) that inhabit stray cats in the Middle East. It concerns and interest me. I'm interested in the health of stray and feral cats. How healthy are they when left entirely alone? We know that feral cats cared for by TNR volunteers can live quite good lives; even better than domestic cat sometimes. But what about stray and feral cats living without any human intervention? The cats at the bottom of the list in terms of health and welfare.

There are some studies about these sorts of cats and one such study took place in Iran (Gastrointestinal parasites of stray cats in Kashan, Iran by Mohsen Arbabi and Hossein Hooshyar of the Department of Medical Parasitology, Kashan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Kashan-Iran). It was published in 2008. The scientists looked at the species i.e. type of gastrointestinal parasites inside stray cats in Kashan, Iran.

Feeding stray cats in Iran. Not all stray cats are so lucky but these animals are infested with endoparasites. Photograph in the public domain and on Pinterest.

The first point to make is that, perhaps as expected, 95.6% of the 108 cats checked were infested with endoparasites inside the gastrointestinal tract. The second point to note, and a side point, is that all these cats were killed and necropsied. In other words they were cut open and their organs: kidney, heart, liver, lungs, gastrointestinal tract checked for parasites. That is disturbing.

RELATED: 95% of stray cats have worms and 57% scavenge potentially life-threatening refuse.

About two thirds of the cats were male and the remainder were female. They found 15 species of endoparasites including helminths and protozoa. Helminths are parasitic worms i.e. nematodes. Protozoa are single-cells microscopic creatures and parasitic as well in this instance.

RELATED: How do I know if my cat has worms?

Here is the list of parasites found inside these unfortunate cats including the percentage of cats infested:

Nematodea (worms):

• Toxocara cati 13.3%;
• Physaloptera preputialis 39.8%,;
• Rictularia 52.2%;
• Uncinaria stenocephala 1.8%;
• Cestodea (tapeworm):
• Mesocestoides lineatus 7.1%;
• Taenia taeniaformis 15%;
• Diplopylidium nolleri 64.6%;
• Dipylidium caninum 68.1%;
• Joyeuxiella echinorhyncoides 85% (small worm: maximum length of 9 cm , and often being only 2 to 3 cm in length)

Sporozea (a protozoan with a cyst-forming stage in their life cycle):

• Isospora rivolta 5.3%;
• Isospora felis 5.3%;
• Sarcocystis spp 8%,;
• Blastocystis spp 16.8%.

Zoomastigophorea (another species of protozoan which are flagellates):

• Giardia felis 0.9%;
• Trichomonas spp 1.8%.

They decided that the contamination rate for zoonotic parasites i.e. parasites that can be transmitted between animals and people, was greater than expected in this region of Iran. They suggested, therefore, their control measures should be taken to protect people.

What is the point of this article? Answer: to remind ourselves and to highlight the fact that human carelessness leads to animal suffering. It leads to ill health in animals. And let's not brush the problem under the carpet. Let's take responsibility. These cats are in their predicament because we put them there. This is a humankind problem. It is carelessness and thoughtlessness. And to compound the problem these cats are often persecuted as pest and vermin by ignorant people. It's a double whammy of ignorance and inevitably it is animals who face the consequences primarily.