There is a common notion that cats do not get heartworm disease. However, this is far from the truth. Though the risk of heartworm disease is lower in cats compared to their canine counterparts, felines are not completely safe from this potentially fatal disease. Contrary to this misconception, heartworms are more deadly in cats than dogs. So, how do you deal with heartworm disease in cats? Let us help you.
This blog provides information about heartworm disease, how cats get infected with it, symptoms of the disease, diagnosis & treatment, and how to prevent it in cats. Keep reading to know more.
Heartworm disease explained
Heartworm disease is caused by spaghetti-shaped, foot-long worms, known as heartworms or Dirofilaria immitis, that live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels of infected animals. Heartworms can affect animals, such as dogs, cats, ferrets, and other mammals like wolves, foxes, etc. In rare cases, heartworms can affect humans as well. Though known as heartworms, these parasites can cause damage not only to the heart but also to the lungs and associated veins of the infected pet.
Also Read: 6 Misconceptions About Heartworm Disease In Cats
How do cats get heartworms?
Just like dogs, cats also get heartworms from a mosquito bite. And so, both indoor and outdoor cats are at risk of catching heartworm infection. Adult female heartworms present in the infected animal get transferred to the mosquito when it takes the blood meal. These baby worms then develop and mature into infective stage larvae inside the mosquito. When this infected mosquito bites a cat, these infective larvae get transferred to them. Once inside the cat, these larvae mature into adult heartworms and live for up to 2 or 3 years in cats.
However, cats are atypical hosts for heartworms, and most of the worms do not survive till the adult stage in a cat. But the sudden death of heartworms can cause a life-threatening condition called Heartworm-Associated Respiratory Disease (HARD) in cats.
Symptoms of heartworm disease in cats
Cats infected with heartworm disease may show no or very subtle symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of heartworm disease in cats include:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Lack of interest in exercise
- Weight loss
- Lack of appetite
- Coughing
- Troubled breathing
Diagnosis of heartworm disease in cats
Heartworm-positive cats typically have just one to three worms, mostly male heartworms, making the diagnosis difficult. Also, heartworms take around six to seven months to mature, and the testing techniques can detect only adult heartworms. It is, therefore, advisable to get your cat tested every 12 months so that a timely diagnosis is possible.
Here are some of the diagnostic methods to detect heartworm disease in cats:
- Antibody test: Detects the presence of antibodies a cat’s immune system produces against heartworm infections. It usually takes two months after infection for them to develop antibodies.
- Antigen test: Detects mature female heartworms by recognizing their antigens in the bloodstream.
- Echocardiography: Helps visualize heartworms within the heart and pulmonary arteries.
Treatment of feline heartworm disease
There is currently no approved treatment for heartworm infection in cats. The death of heartworms can lead to fatal reactions in cats. Most of the available treatment options provide only supportive care and offer relief from symptoms, such as controlling the inflammation caused by worms. There is an estimate that only 25 to 50% of heartworm-infected cats can survive the infection. That is why heartworm prevention is the best option to protect cats from this deadly disease.
Prevention of heartworm disease in cats
Since there is no approved treatment available for cats, it is imperative to prevent this life-threatening disease. There are plenty of heartworm preventives available that help safeguard your cat from heartworms when administered regularly. A majority of them protect against heartworms for a month or two and also protect against other parasites. Some of the powerful heartworm preventives for cats include:
- Revolution Plus for Cats: A monthly topical application that prevents heartworm disease and also protects against fleas, ticks, ear mites, roundworms, and hookworms.
- Bravecto Plus for Cats: A topical solution that prevents heartworm disease and is effective against fleas, ticks, roundworms, and hookworms for 2 months.
- Advantage Multi for Cats: An all-in-one spot-on solution. This once-a-month solution prevents heartworm disease and safeguards cats against fleas, roundworms, hookworms, and ear mites.
- Nexgard Combo for Cats: A topical heartworm preventive that protects against multiple worms like roundworms, hookworms, vesical worms, and tapeworms. This monthly application also protects against fleas and ticks in cats.
A regular dosage of these preventives helps provide year-round protection to your feline friend. It is advisable to consult your veterinarian and prepare a heartworm protection program that works best for your cat. Also, start your cat’s heartworm protection early: start from the age mentioned on the product label, but not later than 8 weeks of age.
Parting notes
It is a myth that cats do not get infected with heartworm disease. Though imperfect hosts, cats are susceptible to this deadly infection. Since the treatment of heartworm disease is not available currently, prevention is the best option to keep cats protected against heartworms. With regular administration of heartworm preventives, you can provide a year-round, uninterrupted protection against heartworm to your cat and keep them healthy and happy.