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Client Library Article
FELINE HEART WORM DISEASE
| Cats are susceptible to
hear worms too! |
| Most people associate heartworm disease only with dogs,
however, veterinarians are now diagnosing heartworm infections in cats as
well. Similar to dogs, cats are infected when they are bitten by mosquitoes
carrying immature forms of heartworms called larvae. The larvae then travel
in the blood stream and eventually mature into adult heartworms in the
heart. Unlike dogs who have large numbers of heartworms,
affected cats only have a small number, usually less than three adult worms.
The adults live in the heart of the cat for 3-4 years only. Heart worms are
not treated in cats, but are allowed to persist until the worms die
naturally. Treatment unfortunately is life threatening to a cat. In
very infested areas, some veterinarians are putting cats on monthly
preventative therapy which is safe and effective. Monthly heartworm
prevention is aimed at killing the larvae in the blood stream BEFORE they
mature into adults and settle in the heart. |
| Symptoms- similar to
those of feline asthma |
- Soft non-productive cough
- Exercise intolerance
- Shortness of breath
- Labored breathing
- Intermittent vomiting
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| Diagnosis |
- Lab tests- checks blood for the presence of antibodies against
heartworms & can test for the presence of antigen or proteins unique to
the heartworms themselves. A positive antigen test confirms at least
one living heartworm in the body. A positive antibody test confirms
exposure to heartworms, but not necessarily an active infection.
- Radiographs and ultrasound are commonly used to eliminate other
causes of heart and respiratory disease, such as asthma.
- Cats living in endemic areas for heartworm who are showing vague
respiratory and heart signs should be screened for heartworm disease.
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| Treatment |
| Cats with heartworm disease are put on very low doses of
aspirin to try to reduce the formation of blood clots due to the worms
and steroids to reduce the inflammation in the lungs. Unfortunately, it is
too risky to kill off the heartworms in cats. Cats are sensitive to
the drug used and also tend to form more blood clots which cause serious
respiratory problems when they lodge in the blood vessels of the lungs.
It is recommended to put the cat on low doses of preventative medicine to
eliminate chances of re-infection while waiting for the heartworms to die
naturally. Owners should be aware that although unlikely, cats can die
suddenly when infected with heartworms. |
| Prognosis |
|
Generally fair to good although acute death
can occur.
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