What are heartworms in cats?
Heartworms in cats are similar to heartworms in dogs. These are worms that live in the heart and are transmitted by mosquitoes. Regardless of whether it's a dog or a cat, they contract heartworms through a mosquito bite.
Dr. Meghan Denney
Four Paws At Fulshear
How do cats get heartworms?
Cats get heartworms by being bitten by a mosquito. Even indoor cats are at risk, especially in places like Texas where mosquitoes can easily get inside homes.
What do veterinarians recommend as heartworm prevention for cats?
There are several options available. Many of the preventions on the market right now are topical. We're also looking into oral preventatives, but cats can be picky eaters, so it's uncertain if they will accept oral medication. Most heartworm preventions are topical applications that you apply either once a month or every other month.
How do you spot heartworm symptoms in cats?
Heartworms usually cause respiratory symptoms. The most common signs include feline asthma where the cat appears to be coughing or hacking up a hairball but nothing comes up. If a worm dies, it can cause a severe anaphylactic reaction which can be fatal.
How will a veterinarian diagnose heartworms in your cat?
Diagnosis can be made in a few ways. A blood test can be used to detect the baby larva heartworms in the blood. You can also run a heartworm test similar to one used for dogs.
Why is early detection and diagnosis of heartworms so important?
Early detection is important because it makes you more aware of potential symptoms. If your cat has heartworm disease, you'll pay more attention to signs like asthma symptoms or coughing. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for heartworms in cats. The only option is to keep them on heartworm prevention and hope that your cat isn't severely affected when the worm eventually dies.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (281) 801-1444, 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
Dr. Meghan Denney
Four Paws At Fulshear
What is a cat heartworm?
A cat heartworm is the same as dog heartworms. They are parasites that live inside a host, regardless of who they bite or where they live.
What is an internal parasite?
An internal parasite is anything that lives inside of you, such as intestinal parasites, heartworms, tick-borne diseases, blood-borne diseases, and fungal diseases.
How does a cat get heartworms?
Cats get heartworms by being bitten by a mosquito.
Can a cat pass heartworms to another pet or person?
No, cats are not the primary hosts for heartworm disease. While they can have one or two worms in their hearts, the majority of transmission occurs through dogs.
How common are heartworms in cats?
The prevalence of heartworms in cats is not clearly known because they are not tested as often as they should be. However, they are probably less common than in dogs but more common than we think, especially in high endemic heartworm areas like Houston and Louisiana.
What is the life cycle of a heartworm and how would this information be beneficial to my cat?
The life cycle of a heartworm is complex with many larval stages. However, the most important part to note is that out of all these stages, we can only kill two of them. Therefore, it's crucial to give your cat heartworm prevention every month on the same day because we only get two chances to ensure that your cat doesn't get heartworms.
Can my indoor cat get heartworms?
Let's consider a scenario where a significant portion of my time is spent indoors. While I do appreciate the outdoors, it often feels like I practically reside within the clinic, resulting in an indoor-centric lifestyle. Of course, not everyone finds themselves indoors as frequently. Yet, an intriguing aspect emerges--I still find myself susceptible to mosquito bites even within the confines of indoor spaces. This phenomenon is particularly notable during the spring season, a period well-recognized by Houston residents for its mosquito activity. These relentless insects tend to congregate around front doors, poised for an opportunistic incursion. Once inside, they encounter limited options for their dietary needs--humans, dogs and cats. These three entities present themselves as prospective sources for a blood meal. Naturally, mosquitoes exhibit a pragmatic approach, selecting their host based on availability, driven by the primal instinct for survival. Consequently, it's prudent to acknowledge that the risk of mosquito bites persists even in households with predominantly indoor-dwelling pets.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (281) 801-1444, 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