What is heartworm in cats?
Heartworm in cats is a parasite, similar to heartworm in dogs, that attacks their heart.
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
How do cats get heartworm disease?
Cats contract heartworm disease in a similar fashion to dogs; they have to be bitten by a mosquito.
What do veterinarians recommend as heartworm preventions for cats?
There are a couple of different preventative options for cats. You can administer an oral chewable or a topical treatment.
How do you spot symptoms of heartworm disease in cats?
Symptoms of heartworm disease in cats include coughing, severe lethargy, and in extreme cases, sudden death.
How will a veterinarian diagnose heartworm disease in your cat?
A veterinarian will diagnose heartworm disease in your cat by conducting a blood test, much like they would with a dog.
Why is early detection and diagnosis of heartworm so important?
Early detection and diagnosis of heartworm is crucial because once cats reach a late stage of the disease, it often results in death. Cats are not the normal habitat for heartworm, so having even one worm can have a much more severe impact on them compared to dogs.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Heartworm - FAQs 1
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
What is a feline heartworm?
A heartworm is something that lives within their bloodstream that lodges in their heart.
How does a cat get a heartworm?
A cat gets a heartworm the same way a dog does, through a blood-borne parasite, through mosquitoes.
Can a cat pass on heartworms to another pet or a person?
No, a cat is not the normal host for the heartworm, so it is not possible for them to transmit. The heartworm actually cannot reproduce, so there are no offspring or microfilaria in the bloodstream.
How common are heartworms in cats?
It's not nearly as common. Again, cats are not the normal host, so it's not beneficial for a cat to get heartworms.
What is the cycle of a heartworm and how will this information be beneficial to my cat?
A heartworm will usually reproduce, they'll float around in the bloodstream, we call those offspring microfilaria or larva. A mosquito will then ingest that, usually this is from a dog or any other canine, like a coyote. It will then go and take a blood meal from your cat and inject some of that blood with the microfilaria into the bloodstream, where it will then go and affect the heart.
Can my indoor cat get heartworm disease?
Unfortunately, here in Florida, we still get mosquitoes inside, so yes, it is very likely that your cat could potentially come in contact with them.
Cat Heartworm - FAQs 2
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
What are some signs that my cat might have heartworms?
Cats with heartworms may show signs such as coughing, lethargy, lack of appetite, and even potentially sudden death.
How soon will a cat show signs of heartworm disease?
It takes about six months for a heartworm to fully develop from the larva to an adult stage. After that, the cat can start showing signs at any moment.
Is heartworm disease painful?
No, it's not that heartworm disease is painful per se. It just causes inflammation in the heart and lungs, making it more irritating than anything else.
Are heartworms visible?
No, heartworms are not visible in cats. They stay strictly in the heart or the lungs.
Are there other conditions that could be caused by heartworms?
Yes, in cats, heartworms can actually cause sudden death because they cause a lot of inflammation in the heart which can make the heart stop.
Why should I ask my veterinarian about heartworm disease?
You should ask your veterinarian about heartworm disease because in cats, heartworms can be deadly. Cats are not the normal host for heartworms and the disease can kill them very quickly. It's important to treat them as soon as possible.
Cat Heartworm - FAQs 3
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
How is heartworm prevented in cats?
There are a couple of different methods for preventing heartworm in cats. We have an oral chewable, and there's also a topical medication.
When should I start heartworm prevention for my cat?
I recommend starting heartworm prevention as soon as you bring your cat in as a kitten. We have some medication that can be started when they're about 8-12 weeks of age. If you adopt a cat from a shelter, we need to start them on prevention immediately once you bring them in.
How effective is heartworm prevention in cats?
Heartworm prevention is 100% effective in cats.
Does my cat still need a heartworm test if they're on prevention?
I highly recommend a heartworm test even if your cat is on prevention. There have been a few reported cases of resistance to heartworm prevention, so it's best to ensure your cat is safe.
Can prevention be used to clear a heartworm infection?
Unfortunately, prevention cannot be used to clear a heartworm infection in cats.
Are there any holistic or over-the-counter cat heartworm preventions?
We do not recommend any holistic or over-the-counter heartworm prevention for cats.
What should I do if I miss a dose of my cat's prevention?
If you miss a dose of your cat's prevention, give them their next dose immediately. We will then need to retest them in six months.
Can I do anything in my cat's environment to reduce the risk of heartworm disease?
Keep water moving in your cat's environment. Avoid stagnant water. If there are any bowls left outside, rinse them and keep them as clean as possible. Also, try to control the mosquito population as they play a role in transmitting heartworm disease.
Cat Heartworm - FAQs 4
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
My cat has tested positive for heartworm. What are the next steps?
The next steps after your cat tests positive for heartworm are primarily monitoring and ensuring the cat remains as comfortable and happy as possible.
Can cat heartworm be treated?
Unfortunately, there's no treatment available for cat heartworm.
What are the different stages of heartworm disease in cats?
There are two stages of heartworm disease in cats. Stage one is the infection stage, and stage two is when the cat starts showing severe symptoms due to inflammation in the heart and lungs. This stage can be fatal.
What can I expect from a veterinary visit when my cat tests positive for heartworm disease?
During the veterinary visit, we will discuss medications to control the inflammation and try to prevent clotting in the patient.
How many treatments will my cat need?
The number of treatments depends on the cat. However, it's important to note that there are not many treatments available to eliminate the heartworms.
Are there any other conditions that can be caused by stages of heartworm disease?
Yes, heartworm disease can cause heart problems, including congestive heart failure, which can lead to death.
Will the treatment cure my cat?
No, unfortunately, the treatment will not cure your cat of heartworm disease.
Cat Heartworm - FAQs 5
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
How is my cat tested for heartworm disease?
We draw a couple of drops of blood and that's all it takes. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes or we send it out to the lab.
When should my cat be tested for heartworms?
They should be tested at about a year of age or if you've adopted from a shelter we need to test them in there.
How often should my cat be tested for heartworm disease?
I usually recommend testing once a year.
If my cat tests positive, do I need additional tests?
We will probably send off another test to the lab just to make sure that there are no false positives.
Why is early detection of heartworm important for my cat?
Heartworm disease can be fatal to cats so the earlier we can detect it, the more likelihood that we can decrease inflammation and keep them healthier and happier longer.
If my cat is on prevention, do they still need a yearly heartworm test?
I still recommend it because there are some signs of resistance in certain cases so we want to make sure that we take care of that immediately.
Do I need to take my cat to a specialist for testing or treatment?
Not for testing, but we may recommend going to a cardiologist if they are tested positive.
Cat Heartworm - FAQs 6
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
Is heartworm common in cats?
Heartworm is very uncommon in cats. Cats are not the natural host for heartworms.
What are some complications of heartworm disease in cats?
The main complications of heartworm disease in cats are heart disease, exercise intolerance which results in them wanting to lay around more, coughing, and sudden death.
Are there risks of treatment for each stage of heartworm?
Unfortunately, there's not really a treatment for heartworms in cats. However, the greater the stage of the heartworm, the more likelihood that it could be fatal.
Are there side effects to the medication used to prevent heartworm disease in cats?
Most cats do just fine with the medication used to prevent heartworm disease. Sometimes it can cause a little skin irritation if you use a topical treatment, or it can cause a little GI upset. However, these are rare occurrences and the medications are generally safe to use.
What are the side effects of medication used to treat heartworm disease in cats?
There's not really a treatment for heartworms in cats.
Cat Heartworm - FAQs 7
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
What causes feline heartworm?
Feline heartworms are caused by a heartworm parasite.
What is an internal parasite?
An internal parasite is a parasite that resides inside the body.
How are heartworms transmitted?
Heartworms are transmitted through mosquitoes. A mosquito will take a blood meal from a heartworm positive dog who's shedding their baby heartworms, this is called microfilaria. The mosquito will then ingest that, and later take a blood meal from your cat, injecting some of that blood with the microfilaria.
How does my cat's lifestyle affect their risk for heartworm disease?
Indoor cats typically have less likelihood of coming in contact with mosquitoes. In places like Florida, there can still be a few mosquitoes indoors sometimes, but the risk is greater outdoors due to increased contact with mosquitoes.
How significant is my cat's risk for heartworm?
The risk is not very significant. Heartworms aren't typically found in cats. Cats are not the normal host for heartworms, but they can get them. However, it can be fatal for them.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram