By Dr. Stephanie Raispis

Heartworm disease has been affecting dogs in the United States for over 20 years.

Most people know that dogs can be affected, but what about cats? For a long time scientists and veterinarians thought that cats did not get heart worm infections. But it wasn’t long before the discovery of feline heartworms led to more studies for our feline friends. Heartworm disease in the cat is not the same as the dog, but can be just as deadly.

In both species, heartworms are carried by mosquitoes and transferred through the mosquito bite. In dogs a single bite can be infective. In cats, several bites are necessary for infection.  The larval forms migrate to the heart and become adult worms. Dogs can have hundreds of worms living in their heart but cats usually have only a few. In dogs, the heart is the organ that is most affected. In cats the lungs are affected by the larval forms of the worm.

Cats can be affected even if they live indoors. Over 25% of cats with proven infections live indoors. Heartworm disease in the cat can be difficult to diagnose. There may be no signs in the early stages. In later stages cats can have the following symptoms: coughing, vomiting, shortness of breath, weight loss, and lethargy.

Heartworm disease in the cat cannot be treated effectively. Cats cannot tolerate the medicine used in dogs to kill heartworms. It is simpler and healthier for your cat to prevent heartworm disease. Several different products are available to prevent heartworms in cats. Your veterinarian can recommend the best product for your beloved cat.