Heartworm in
Cats & Kittens
Heartworm background
Hi Simba,
What is heartworm and what are the risks to my kitty? Worried
Dear Worried,
Below is some information on this dangerous condition. Simba
Feline Heartworm is a serious and sometimes fatal condition caused by parasitic worms living in the arteries of the lungs and occasionally in the right side of the heart of dogs, cats and other animals.
Heartworm is spread when mosquitoes bite an infected animal and then become carriers of the microfilariae (very small worms / worm offspring). Inside the infected mosquito, these small worms mature into the infective larval stage. When the infected mosquito then bites a cat (or other animal) the larvae are inserted in the skin and start migrating inside their victim.
It takes about two months for the worms in cats to migrate through the connective tissue under the skin to get into the arteries of the lung. In total, it takes seven to eight or so months for the larvae to mature into adult worms that then begin producing their very own offspring (small worms / microfilariae).
The good news is that cats are not really good hosts for Heartworms since the adult worms can produce offspring in only about 20% of the cats and of these few make it to adulthood.
Also, unlike dogs, dogs that may suffer from Heartworm-induced heart and lung damage cats show only minimal adverse effect in the heart. Instead cats often show symptoms in the lungs.
HeartGard for Cats(...spelled 'gard') is a widely used preventative. You can also consider an all-in-one preventative like Advantage Multi for Cats which helps prevent heartworm while also treating /controlling of fleas infestations, roundworms, hookworms and ear mites.
According to the Heartworm Society diagnosis can be done by a physical examination, x-rays, echocardiography (ultrasounds), angio-cardiography (X-ray of the heart with injected contrast fluid), CBC (complete blood count), serologic testing (antigen and antibody study), microfilaria / worm testing.
What is heartworm and what are the risks to my kitty? Worried
Dear Worried,
Below is some information on this dangerous condition. Simba
WHAT IS HEARTWORM?
Feline Heartworm is a serious and sometimes fatal condition caused by parasitic worms living in the arteries of the lungs and occasionally in the right side of the heart of dogs, cats and other animals.
HOW IS HEARTWORM SPREAD?
Heartworm is spread when mosquitoes bite an infected animal and then become carriers of the microfilariae (very small worms / worm offspring). Inside the infected mosquito, these small worms mature into the infective larval stage. When the infected mosquito then bites a cat (or other animal) the larvae are inserted in the skin and start migrating inside their victim.
It takes about two months for the worms in cats to migrate through the connective tissue under the skin to get into the arteries of the lung. In total, it takes seven to eight or so months for the larvae to mature into adult worms that then begin producing their very own offspring (small worms / microfilariae).
The good news is that cats are not really good hosts for Heartworms since the adult worms can produce offspring in only about 20% of the cats and of these few make it to adulthood.
Also, unlike dogs, dogs that may suffer from Heartworm-induced heart and lung damage cats show only minimal adverse effect in the heart. Instead cats often show symptoms in the lungs.
PREVENTING HEARTWORM
HeartGard for Cats(...spelled 'gard') is a widely used preventative. You can also consider an all-in-one preventative like Advantage Multi for Cats which helps prevent heartworm while also treating /controlling of fleas infestations, roundworms, hookworms and ear mites.
DETECTING HEARTWORM
According to the Heartworm Society diagnosis can be done by a physical examination, x-rays, echocardiography (ultrasounds), angio-cardiography (X-ray of the heart with injected contrast fluid), CBC (complete blood count), serologic testing (antigen and antibody study), microfilaria / worm testing.
HEARTWORM SYMPTOMS
It is nearly impossible to determine whether your cat has
Heartworms by clinical signs alone. However, the generic signs of
illness (applicable to many illnesses) are vomiting intermittently (food or foam,
usually unrelated to eating), lethargy, loss of appetite / weight
loss, coughing,
asthma, rapid breathing (tachypnea) or gagging.
A Heartworm infection can also result in acute pulmonary inflammation response and lung injury. Signs associated with Stage 1 Heartworm disease (when the heartworms enter a blood vessel and are carried to the pulmonary arteries) are often wrongly diagnosed as asthma or allergic bronchitis. In fact these symptoms are caused by what is now called heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease (HARD).
According to the Heartworm Society There are no products in the United States approved for the treatment of feline heartworm. In fact the most commonly recommended treatment for cats that display no overt clinical signs (despite being diagnosed with Heartworm) is to allow time for a spontaneous cure to occur. This is followed by regular checkups / testing every 6 to 12 months.
Where there are signs of lung disease your vet may recommend a therapy using use "small, gradually decreasing doses of prednisone (a cortisone-like drug).
Best bet in all circumstances is to discuss your cat's Heartworms with your vet as many times no treatment is needed. I hope this is of help to you. Simba
A Heartworm infection can also result in acute pulmonary inflammation response and lung injury. Signs associated with Stage 1 Heartworm disease (when the heartworms enter a blood vessel and are carried to the pulmonary arteries) are often wrongly diagnosed as asthma or allergic bronchitis. In fact these symptoms are caused by what is now called heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease (HARD).
TREATING HEARTWORM
According to the Heartworm Society There are no products in the United States approved for the treatment of feline heartworm. In fact the most commonly recommended treatment for cats that display no overt clinical signs (despite being diagnosed with Heartworm) is to allow time for a spontaneous cure to occur. This is followed by regular checkups / testing every 6 to 12 months.
Where there are signs of lung disease your vet may recommend a therapy using use "small, gradually decreasing doses of prednisone (a cortisone-like drug).
Best bet in all circumstances is to discuss your cat's Heartworms with your vet as many times no treatment is needed. I hope this is of help to you. Simba
