PREVENTION OF HEARTWORM DISEASE IN CATS
To your cat, heartworms are dangerous, causing a deadly disease.
A single bite from an infected mosquito can transmit heartworms
to your cat. Even a cat that does not go outdoors at all can be at risk
for heartworm disease. The worms live in the heart vessels. Signs of
heartworm in cats include coughing or difficulty breathing, vomiting,
lethargy or fatigue, anemia, collapse, and death. These signs mimic
other diseases in the cat, such as feline asthma, gastritis, inflammatory
bowel disease (IBD), and cardiomyopathy. Diagnosis of feline heartworm
disease is complex, much more difficult than it is in the dog. Tests include
X-rays, cardiac ultrasound (echocardiogram), and blood tests such as
a complete blood count and antibody and antigen tests.
In cats, there is no approved treatment for heartworm disease. PREVENTION,
however, is easy. Several prescription medications are available; we have
Interceptor and Revolution at our clinic. Interceptor is a monthly chewable
that also covers various intestinal worms. Revolution is a topical liquid that
also covers fleas, other insects, and intestinal worms. Please discuss these
with your veterinarian or animal health technician, and we will review
them and decide which medication is best for you and your cat.
In our area, one to ten percent of cats that are not on heartworm
preventative get heartworm disease; this translates to about half
a million cats in America. Don’t let your cat be one of them.
THANK YOU FOR SELECTING OUR CLINIC
AS YOUR CAT’S HEALTH CARE CENTER
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