Cats and heartworm

Mosquitoes don’t discriminate. They bite you, they bite your cat. But when they sink their teeth into your feline friend, they might cause more than an itch. Mosquitoes can transmit heartworm larvae to cats.  If these microscopic larvae settle in cats’ lungs, they can cause big health problems.  There’s no cure for feline heartworm disease, but it is 100 percent preventable.  Read below to learn more, then talk with your veterinarian about which prevention method is best for keeping your cat and its ticker heartworm-free.

 

 

Do cats really get heartworms?

Heartworms aren’t just a dog problem. A Texas study conducted

in the late 1990s found that 26 percent of cats had contracted

heartworms at some point in their lives. And remember,

those pesky mosquitoes will bite any animal regardless of

whether its tail wags or flicks.

 

Just how do mosquitoes transmit heartworms to cats?

Mosquitoes are carriers of heartworm larvae. When a mosquito

bites a cat, the larvae enter the cat’s system through the

bite wound. When these larvae develop into adult heartworms,

they eventually die and cause severe heart inflammation

that can be fatal. Even though the presence of adult

heartworms is potentially deadly, the little larvae can be even

more problematic. Most larvae don’t make it to adulthood

in cats, which means they die in the cat’s lungs. The irritation

leads to heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD).

Studies show that 50 percent of cats infected with heartworm

larvae have significant disease in the arteries that supply

blood to their lungs. To learn more about HARD, see

“Heartworms Can’t Hide,” below.

 

My cat doesn’t go outside, so I don’t need to worry, right?

Wrong. Indoor cats are at lower risk for heartworm disease

than outdoor cats, but there’s no guarantee a mosquito won’t

buzz into your house through an open door

or window—and it only takes one bite to do the damage.

A North Carolina study reported that 28 percent of cats

diagnosed with heartworm disease were inside-only cats,

so prevention products are smart to use in indoor cats

as well as free-roamers.

 

Mosquitoes aren’t common where I live. Does my cat need prevention?

Yes. Cases of feline heartworm disease have been

reported in all 50 states. The occurrence of heartworm

disease is markedly lower in some states, but mosquitoes

are resilient little fellas and they’re showing up in more

and more places. And don’t forget that the game changes

when you travel. Anytime you pack your cat’s bags, especially

if you’re heading to lake or coastal regions, you need

to arm him with heartworm prevention.

 

OK, so my cat needs heartworm prevention. What does it involve?

The good news is that heartworm prevention products

are some of the easiest to use, least expensive, and most

effective items on the market. Your veterinarian knows all

about these products and will help you decide which one

is right for you and your cat.

Heartworms can’t hide

Heartworm larvae are virtually invisible, but if your cat is infected

with them, they’ll show themselves. Most cats with early-stage disease

experience heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD)

signs. Rather than affecting the heart, the larvae affect the lungs

and cause breathing problems often mistaken for asthma or allergic

bronchitis. If your cat exhibits any signs of HARD, which are listed below,

schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.

Coughing

Panting

Open-mouthed breathing

Rapid breathing

Gagging

Appetite loss

Weight loss

Diarrhea

Fainting

Lethargy(This form is adapted from information provided by the American Heartworm Society and KNOW Heartworms. Visit knowheartworms.org to learn