Your feline friend can get heartworms if an infected mosquito bites them, even though cats aren’t as susceptible to heartworm disease as dogs. Cats are not natural hosts of heartworms since the works prefer the body of a dog to thrive in. Nonetheless, your cat is still at risk of getting infected. Here’s all that you need to know about heartworm disease and its prevention in cats

What is Heartworm Disease?

This disease can potentially get fatal, but it is still preventable. It is an infection caused by Dirofilaria Immitis, a worm parasite, which is transmitted through mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can carry this infection from an infected animal to the other.

After the parasite transfers to a new animal, they become adult worms within a few months. They live in blood vessels that lead from the heart to the lungs. If not treated or maintained, the heartworms might enter the heart.

The presence of heartworms places stress on the lungs, blood vessels, and heart of the animal. Additionally, significant complications might occur if the heartworms die inside.

Signs and Symptoms of Heartworm Disease in Cats

Cats might show mild or even no signs after getting infected. However, some common signs to look out for include:

• Weight loss

• Lethargy

• Reduced appetite

• Labored breathing

• Rapid breathing

• Coughing

The surprising symptom of heartworms in cats is intermittent vomiting that doesn’t happen with dogs. In severe cases, the symptoms can get worse and might prove fatal. Death of heartworms results in sudden respiratory shock and distress. Fortunately, there are various medications and vaccinations to prevent or maintain the heartworm disease.

Diagnosis of Heartworm Disease in Cats

There isn’t a particular standard to diagnose heartworm disease in cats. Vets use different lab tests to examine and monitor the cat. The tests usually include:

• Urinalysis to check the presence of heartworms in your cat’s urine

• Heartworm antigen test that helps in determining the presence of female heartworms.

• Heartworm antibody test helps determine whether the immune system of your cat has been exposed to the infection.

• Ultrasounds are also taken to check and monitor the surrounding vessels of the heart and its internal structures. However, this test doesn’t always get accurate results if the number of heartworms is low.

• X-rays or radiographs help in monitoring the shape and size of your cat’s heart. The presence of heartworms results in enlarged pulmonary arteries or might lead to obstructions of arteries.

• White blood cell count also is helpful in cats suspected of being infected. The number of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, is higher if heartworms are present in cats. It might also indicate the presence of other parasites.

It is crucial to get your cat to the vet immediately if they show even mild signs of the mentioned symptoms to get them the right treatment immediately.

Heartworm Disease Treatment

Unfortunately, there are limited options for treating heartworms in cats. Treating them with the medications for dogs has resulted in side effects. Moreover, the problem gets complicated if the heartworms die during the treatment process. The dead heartworms are transported through the pulmonary arteries towards the lungs, where the reaction might result in sudden death.

The medication for dogs is not suitable for cats and may result in severe side effects. The best way to treat your cat is to treat the heartworms symptoms to make your pet more comfortable. There are antibiotics and other medications that can weaken the heartworms.

Cats without the symptoms may be able to clear the disease without the need for medication. It is essential to continuously monitor your cat if they have been screened for heartworm disease. Be sure to continue getting these tests after ever six months or so to determine if the treatment and management are working. These tests will also identify any potential complications in the future.

Extracting the heartworms by conducting surgery is another treatment option if the conditions are severe. However, it comes with significant risks and can also prove expensive. The surgery must be performed by an experienced vet. Unfortunately, there are limited options for treating heartworms in cats. Treating them with the medications for dogs has resulted in side effects. Moreover, the problem gets complicated if the heartworms die during the treatment process. The dead heartworms are transported through the pulmonary arteries towards the lungs, where the reaction might result in sudden death.

The medication for dogs is not suitable for cats and may result in severe side effects. The best way to treat your cat is to treat the heartworms symptoms to make your pet more comfortable. There are antibiotics and other medications that can weaken the heartworms.

Cats without the symptoms may be able to clear the disease without the need for medication. It is essential to continuously monitor your cat if they have been screened for heartworm disease. Be sure to continue getting these tests after ever six months or so to determine if the treatment and management are working. These tests will also identify any potential complications in the future.

Extracting the heartworms by conducting surgery is another treatment option if the conditions are severe. However, it comes with significant risks and can also prove expensive. It is crucial an experienced vet performs the surgery.

After the treatment, the vet will schedule a follow-up to monitor your cat’s health and check the progress. They will also check for any side effects. In many cases, the symptoms continue even after the infection has been treated. It may be possible that your cat might have to take lifelong medications to lead a comfortable life.

Prevention of Heartworm Disease

The best strategy is prevention when it comes to heartworm disease in cats. It is particularly true if you live in an area where mosquitoes proliferate. Give your cat a preventive medication once a month to ensure they don’t get infected. Ask your vet about other preventative measures you can take to protect your cat from heartworm disease. An indoor cat may also get infected, which is why you must take proper precautions.

To ensure your feline friend leads a healthy life, make sure to get regular checkups and give them preventive drugs to not just protect from heartworm disease but other parasites as well. In case you suspect that your cat has been exposed to an infected mosquito, take them to the vet immediately to get tested. The earlier the treatment starts, the better.