Heartworm Disease and Cats: More Prevalent Than Commonly Thought
Many pet owners often associate heartworm disease with dogs since they are much more likely to be infected become infected than cats (1 cat for every 10 dogs infected). This is due to the fact that the physiological makeup of felines is more resistant to the invading parasites.
However, both cats and dogs are susceptible to the infection. And, in fact, an estimated 10-14% of tested shelter cats are affected. This alarming statistic has us questioning whether or not it is more prevalence than previously thought.
Because heartworm disease is deadly to cats, routine screening and a monthly heartworm preventive are strongly advised.
Isn’t Heartworm Disease Treatable?
Unfortunately, diagnosing heartworm disease in cats is difficult – and even more alarming is this: there is no treatment for our feline friends.
Since there are no certain cures, the other option is to treat the symptoms only, which can be costly and extend over a period of several months. And, again, this still may not prevent a fatal response to the heartworm infection.
My Cat is an Indoor Cat – Is He Still at Risk?
Yes. Both cats and dogs kept indoors are at risk for heartworm disease. Since mosquitoes are prevalent in our warm, humid region, you can bet there are mosquitos carrying heartworm larva. And, because there is no way to seal your home completely to mosquitos and other insects, it is far easier and more effective to take precautions and keep your pets on a year-round heartworm preventive.
What Are the Signs of Heartworms in Cats?
Again, the additional challenge to keeping cats heartworm free is how well they mask the signs of infection. In many cases, there are no symptoms until a cat collapses from heart or lung failure.
Sometimes, however, symptoms manifest as breathing difficulties or respiratory problems. These signs might include:
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Weight loss
- Lack of appetite
Since it is challenging to determine the root cause, it is important to bring your pet in for an examination and screening, if he or she is experiencing these symptoms or has not been on a heartworm preventive (especially true with recently adopted cats).
Thankfully, there are many options for heartworm preventives. These range from oral medications given monthly to topical applications. Some of these also protect your pet against other common parasites, like fleas and ticks.
Given the often fatal outcome of heartworm disease, we strongly encourage you to keep your pet’s wellness appointments and let us work with you to determine the right vaccinations and preventives to keep your pet healthy.