Most people think only dogs get heartworm disease and that they don’t need to worry about it with their cats. However, cats absolutely can get heartworm disease and it can be a fatal infection.
Heartworms are transmitted from one animal to another by infected mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites a dog with heartworm disease, it picks up the immature heartworm. Then, if weather conditions are right, the mosquito transmits the heartworm to the next animal it bites. These immature worms circulate to the lungs where the cat’s immune response kills most of them. However, some will develop into adult heartworms. It’s the immune system’s response to the immature worms that creates the signs of the infection. Adult heartworms can suppress the cat’s immune response and during this time symptoms appear to improve. The adult heartworms have a lifespan of 2 to 4 years. When the adult worms begin to die the immune system is again stimulated. The inflammatory response can create serious changes in the lungs and in their blood vessels. This can lead to chronic lung disease. In some cases, an anaphylactic-like reaction can cause sudden death.
Common signs of infection are lethargy, anorexia, weight loss, coughing, vomiting, dyspnea and exercise intolerance. Treatment to kill the adult worms is not recommended as the medications are associated with significant side effects and risks. Fortunately, there are safe and effective preventives available. Monthly preventive is recommended for cats who live in areas where heartworm disease is seen in dogs, including cats who live strictly indoors. In fact, information from the American Heartworm Society shows 1 in 4 cats diagnosed with heartworm disease is an indoor-only cat.
Call us today to get your cat started on a monthly preventive!