Did you know? While heartworms are more common in dogs than in cats,
cats can get heartworms too
. Cats get infected by being bitten by a mosquito that has bitten an infected dog.
Can my cat get heartworms?
“
Cats rarely/never get heartworm disease
.”
Unlike dogs, which can harbor large numbers of adult worms, cats are susceptible but imperfect hosts for Dirofilaria immitis.
Is heartworm contagious between dogs and cats?
Dogs and cats cannot transmit heartworms directly to each other
. A mosquito must bite an infected animal and then bite another non-infected animal 10-14 days later for transmission to occur.
What are the first signs of heartworms in cats?
The most common clinical signs of heartworm infection include:
intermittent vomiting (sometimes of blood as well as of food); diarrhea; rapid and difficult breathing, coughing and gagging
, all of which may be confused with feline asthma or some other bronchial disease; loss of appetite; lethargy and weight loss.
What if my cat has heartworms?
There is no FDA-approved drug to treat heartworm disease in cats, although symptoms may be managed with medications.
Surgical removal of adult heartworms may be a treatment option if the heartworms can be seen by ultrasound
.
Should cats be on heartworm prevention?
Heartworm in cats is treated by preventing baby heartworms from growing into adults. There isn't a treatment for heartworms once they have become adults, so
it's important that cats receive the monthly heartworm prevention medicine
.
How do cats catch heartworm?
When the infected mosquito bites a cat
, it leaves infectious worms on the cat's skin. The worms then crawl into the bite wound left by the mosquito, enter the cat's bloodstream, and eventually end up in its heart or the blood vessels of its lungs.
How likely is heartworm in cats?
Although dogs are the more natural host for this disease, cats are also susceptible to heartworm infection. It is estimated by the American Heartworm Society that, in any given community, the incidence of heartworm infection in cats is approximately
5% to 15% percent that of dogs who are not on preventive medication
.
Can cats recover from heartworm?
Heartworm-positive cats may experience spontaneous clearing of heartworms, but the damage they cause may be permanent
. If your cat is not showing signs of respiratory distress, but worms have been detected in the lungs, chest X-rays every 6 to 12 months may be recommended.
Can a dog fully recover from heartworms?
It is crucial to take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as you notice any symptoms at all. Routine veterinary appointments are also always a must, even if your pet seems to be in perfect health.
Dogs can indeed recover completely from heartworm
, although the degree of the ailment has a lot to do with outcome.
How do you check a cat for heartworms?
Heartworm disease in the cat is difficult to diagnose and a variety of testing methods are usually needed to confirm infection. These include
blood tests, radiographs (X-rays), and echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart)
.
