It's true, cats can get heartworm. Though not as common as it is in dogs, heartworm is more difficult to diagnose in a cat.
In both cases, heartworm is contracted by mosquitoes. When the infected mosquito bites the dog or cat, it deposits baby heartworms (larvae). It takes several months for the heartworm to mature and migrate to the heart. Diagnosis is done by a blood test for both dogs and cats, and most heartworm tests also test for other diseases like lyme in dogs or feline leukemia in cats.
If your pet is diagnosed with heartworm, xrays of the heart should be taken to determine the condition of the heart, lungs, and vessels. A blood sample should also be examined by a cytologist for mircofilariae (heartworm offspring in the blood of infected animal). This gives a general indication of the severity of the infection.
Treatment for heartworm in dogs is done by an injectable drug given in the muscle to kill the adult heartworms in the heart and adjacent vessels. It is critical to keep your dog quiet and restrict exercise for one month following treatment. During this time the adult worms die and start to decompose. As they break up they are carried to the lungs and reabsorbed by the body. In more severe cases this can cause severe coughing, shortness of breath, fever and/or depression. Unfortunately, there is no known treatment for heartworm in cats. There are no effective drugs available, and cats that appear to be doing well may die suddenly.
The best way to treat heartworm is to prevent it. Heartworm prevention drugs like Interceptor or Heartguard can be given once a month, also topical flea prevention like Advantix for dogs and Revolution for cats repel mosquitoes, therefore assisting in preventing heartworm as well. Getting your dog tested once a year is also recommended so that if he or she does get heartworm, it can be diagnosed and treated early.
If you have more questions about heartworm, contact your veterinarian, or give us a call at 508-394-3566.
