A. Yes, cats are also affected by this parasite. Although heartworm is often considered a canine disease, it turns out that cats are also at equal risk for heartworm infection.
A. No, this disease cannot be transmitted from your pet to you or your family.
A. There are preventative medications available that are very effective. Most of the preventatives are administered on a monthly basis and are widely available. Talk to your vet to learn more.
A. Yes. One study reported at the American Heartworm Society Symposium showed that 19% of infected cats were considered by owners to be exclusively indoor cats.
A. Your cat can be exposed to this infection by being bitten by an infected mosquito indoors or outdoors.
A. Infected cats can show any of the following signs:
A. Heartworm infection can lead to heart and lung damage. Most signs are related to the respiratory system. In fact, heartworm infection can cause respiratory disease that can severely affect the lungs. As cats often show no early signs of infection, it's important to ask your veterinarian about testing and prevention as part of your cat's annual wellness exam.
A. Cats often show no early signs of infection, so it's important to have regular testing done by your veterinarian. Testing is an important part of your cat's preventative health check-up. Ask your veterinarian for more information on testing and preventative options for your cat. It's also recommended by the American Heartworm Society to test cats before starting them on preventive treatment.
A. Heartworm infections have been found in all 50 states, so all cats are at risk, even those animals that live indoors. However, heartworm infection is preventable. Ask your veterinarian about heartworm prevention, which is typically administered on a monthly basis. Preventive treatment should begin after a blood test has been conducted to determine if your cat has already been exposed or is infected.
A. At the present time, there are no proven treatments for eliminating heartworms from infected cats. The American Heartworm Society Guidelines list specific therapies available for heartworm-infected cats with or without acute signs. Therapies range from treating obvious clinical signs with inflammation-reducing steroids (prednisone) to stabilizing acutely ill cats with treatments appropriate for shock. According to the circumstances, options include giving fluids and oxygen, confining the cat, medications to help the cat breathe, steroids to reduce inflammation, drugs for heart and lungs, antibiotics and nursing care.
Your veterinarian may treat your cat's symptoms if it is displaying signs of disease. Because of the potential for serious or fatal consequences of infection, preventing heartworm is the best strategy.
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