Dramatic Rise in Feline Heartworm Cases
Protect Your Cat Today!
Important facts about heartworm:
- Mosquitoes transmit heartworms from dogs to cats.
- Heartworms are foot-long parasites that live in the heart and lungs.
- Infection causes serious respiratory disease and can be fatal to cats.
- Once infected, only symptomatic treatment is available for cats.
- Once-a-month chewable Interceptor, or topically applied Revolution, are safe, economical and very effective in preventing infection.
We are seeing significantly more heartworm infection in cats compared to dogs in our hospital. This includes many strictly “indoor” cats. In a study published by noted Internal Medicine Specialist, Dr. Stephen Ettinger, it was predicted that California may lead the nation in the incidence feline heartworm disease with infection rates averaging just over 30%! While many dogs regularly take a monthly preventative, most cats are not protected.
Once infected there are no drugs approved for eradicating heartworms in cats. Cats can be treated with canine medications, but this often leads to lung failure and death. That leaves only "symptomatic treatment," in the hope that the cat will out live the worms (heartworms live in a cat for about two years). However, this approach can result in sudden death as the worms migrate through the pulmonary arteries to the lungs.
There are no consistent clinical signs of heartworm disease in cats. Common signs can include coughing, wheezing and rapid breathing. Other signs include weight loss and vomiting. However, all of these signs are also common in other diseases. Blood tests are used to rule out exposure but final diagnosis of adult heartworm infection involves additional laboratory tests, radiographs, and ultrasound studies.
The good news is that once-a-month chewable Interceptor, or topically applied Revolution, are available for cats. These are safe and effective and also de-worm your cat for dangerous intestinal parasites that can cause serious health problems in humans.
Adobe Pet Hospital Confirmed Heartworm Cases
Updated September 30, 2009
| Cats | Dogs | |
|---|---|---|
| 2004-2008 | 30 | 2 |
| 2009 | 5 | 1 |
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