The Animal Medical Clinic                             Peachtree City, Georgia

Feline Heartworm Disease

All of our dog owners are very familiar with the importance of preventing heartworm disease. Until recently, heartworm infection was not considered to be a problem in our feline companions. However, recent studies of cats with heart and lung diseases show that the incidence of feline heartworm disease is far greater than was previously thought.

Clinical signs of heartworm disease in cats may include coughing, rapid breathing, weight loss, or vomiting. Some cats may not show any signs and appear clinically normal. Some cats may die suddenly due to obstruction of blood flow to the lungs.

Diagnosis of feline heartworm disease can be very difficult. The clinical signs are very inconsistent and often confused with other related diseases. Usually a combination of diagnostic tests including bloodwork, x-rays, and possibly ultrasound, are required. Many cats are diagnosed by autopsy after sudden death.

Treatment for feline heartworm disease is also very difficult. In dogs, a very good drug has been developed to kill adult heartworms in the heart and arteries going to the lungs. Unfortunately, the drug cannot be used to treat cats with heartworms. Instead, we can only treat the symptoms of heartworm disease in our feline patients and hope that the cat outlives the worms. We give medications to minimize the clinical signs of coughing, vomiting, or difficulty breathing.

Prevention of heartworm disease is the best course of action and is very safe, easy, and inexpensive. Heartguard for Cats is a chewable, flavored tablet to be given once monthly to prevent heartworm disease. Revolution is a drug used once a month as well, but it is applied topically to the skin between the shoulder blades. It is very effective against heartworms and it prevents fleas, ticks, ear mites, and intestinal parasites. There have been no reports of drug toxicity and each has a wide margin of safety.

If you have any questions concerning feline heartworm disease, please feel free to call us and ask any of our doctors or staff.

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