Heartworm Disease in Cats: Prevention is Treatment

Commonly, we consider heartworm disease as one that only affects dogs, not cats. However, cats are at the same risk of contracting this serious disease. Just like dogs, cats can get heartworms when they are bitten by an infected mosquito.Cats that go outdoors are more likely to be exposed, however, a mosquito can easily get into the house and infect the cat. Different from dogs, most heartworm larvae in cats do not grow into adult worms, because the cat is not the ideal host. Yet, heartworm larvae can create permanent damage to the lungs and blood vessels, and affect the immune system. Adult worms take up residence within the heart, clogging blood vessels and interfering with the heart valves.

Signs & Symptoms

Cats infected with heartworm disease may show little to no symptoms or experience serious complications. Diagnosis can require an exam, blood tests, and X-rays to confirm infection. Symptoms may include the following:

  • Coughing
  • Wheezing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Asthma-like attacks
  • Loss of appetite and/or weight loss
  • Fainting or seizures
  • Sudden collapse or death

Treatment and Prevention

Prevention equals the best medicine. Currently, no treatment or drug therapy exists for cats infected with heartworm disease. Heartworm preventative medications kill immature worms and keep new infections from developing if an infected mosquito bites your cat again. All heartworm medications require a prescription from your veterinarian, for the purpose of annual blood testing to be sure your cat is not infected. Preventative medications are highly effective, but cats may still become infected. Even with a single missed dose. Giving heartworm medication to infected cats may lead to serious reactions.

April represents National Heartworm Disease Awareness Month, but this disease does not follow a season. Because heartworm disease has been diagnosed in all 50 states, the American Heartworm Society recommends that you “think 12:” (1) get your pet tested every 12 months for heartworm and (2) give your pet heartworm preventive 12 months a year.

VetRxDirect has a variety of heartworm and parasite preventative treatments for cats. Because these require a prescription, choosing the right medication for your cat should be done with the help of your veterinarian to make sure they have the best protection.

Heartgard for Cats at VetRxDirectHeartgard for Cats

  • Kills heartworm larvae in cats
  • Eliminates adult and immature hookworms
  • Tasty chewable
  • Give once a month
  • Safe for cats six weeks and older

 

Revolution for Heartworm Disease Prevention at VetRxDirectRevolution for Cats

  • Kills fleas and controls flea infestations
  • Eliminates hookworm and roundworm
  • Prevents heartworm disease
  • Treats and controls ear mites
  • Convenient monthly topical treatment

 

Advantage Multi At VetRxDirectAdvantage Multi for Cats

  • Prevents heartworm disease
  • Kills fleas and controls flea infestation
  • Eliminates hookworms and roundworms
  • Treats and controls ear mites
  • Broad spectrum, monthly topical treatment

 

Keep Calm and Be Prepared for Heartworm Season

April is National Heartworm Awareness Month, and for good reason. Heartworm is a serious disease found throughout the entire United States that affects both dogs and cats. Prevention is the best medicine. It can be very difficult and expensive to treat infected dogs, and there is currently no treatment for cats.

The parasite Dirofilaria immitis, commonly called heartworm, is transmitted from animal to animal by mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites your pet it can transmit the Dirofilaria larvae into your pet’s bloodstream. Once inside your pet, the larvae continue to develop over the course of about six months. They make their way to the heart or lungs where they mature and reproduce. Adult worms live for years. They can grow to more than 12 inches long and cause blockages in the heart and lungs and damage to arteries.

Is My Pet At Risk?

Heartworm Incidence Map Courtesy of the American Heartworm Society

Heartworm disease is more prevalent throughout the midwest and southeast but has been diagnosed in all 50 states. Because infected mosquitoes can come inside, both outdoor and indoor pets are at risk.

The American Heartworm Society recommends that you “think 12:” (1) get your pet tested every 12 months and (2) give your pet heartworm preventive 12 months a year.

Preventatives

Heartworm medications kill immature worms and prevent them from maturing into adults that cause illness. For this reason, preventive medications are given continuously every 30 days because they kill the existing larvae, and cannot kill adult worms. Heartworm medications require a prescription from your veterinarian because annual blood testing is required to make sure your pet is not infected.

Oral Heartworm Diesease Preventatives Available at VetRxDirect

Oral Heartworm Preventatives Available at VetRxDirect

Some preventatives can also control intestinal parasites like hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. Some products are even effective in treating external parasites such as fleas, ticks, ear mites, and the mite that causes scabies.

Stop Mosquitoes

It may be next to impossible to keep all mosquitoes away from your pet, but they can carry many other diseases that can harm your pet. Here are some helpful tips you can take to reduce their exposure to mosquito bites.

  • Use a parasite preventative for your pet that repels and kills mosquitoes
  • Use a pet-friendly insect repellant
  • Get rid of standing water sources around your home
  • Grow mosquito repelling plants like basil or marigolds
  • Use caution with yard pesticides

We have a large selection of heart worm and parasite preventative treatments for both dogs and cats. Choosing the right product for your pet should be done with the help of your veterinarian to make sure they have the best protection.

Should I give Heartworm Prevention to my Pet Year Around?

AHS_InfoGraphic

Protect Your Pet – Heartworm InfoGraphic Presented by the American Heartworm Society

One of the most serious diseases your pet can contract, heartworms are transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. If left untreated, the larvae will grow into mature worms that settle in the heart and the lungs. An affected dog or cat will tire easily, cough incessantly, and may succumb to the disease after a long and painful period of time. Because there is only one approved treatment for heatworms in dog and zero in cats, prevention is key.

Heartworm Tests for Dogs and Cats

It is important to start your canine or feline friend on a monthly heartworm preventative. First, your veterinarian may need to test your pet for heartworms before safely prescribing a preventative. Dogs should be tested every 12 months and pets should be on a preventative 12 months a year.

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Monthly Preventatives for Heartworm Diesase

Advantage Multi: Available in both feline and canine versions, Advantage Multi protects your pet from heartworm disease and other parasites, including fleas, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. A single dose once a month is all you need to kill these fearsome freeloaders before they mature. Always consult your veterinarian before administering any prescription medication. In most cases, Advantage Multi is completely safe for puppies and kittens over two months old. On rare occasion, an animal may have an underlying health condition that prevents early treatment.  The topical drug is safe, affordable, and easy to apply.

Heartgard Plus: Formulated for dogs, Heartgard Plus kills heartworms, hookworms, and roundworms. These tasty chewables are safe for dogs six weeks or older, although it is important to consult your veterinarian before administering any prescription medication. This goes double if your pet is pregnant or has any underlying medical condition, especially a chronic one.

Like other preventatives, these once-monthly chewables contain FDA-approved drugs to control heartworms and other parasites.

Iverhart Max: Because it is a common disease, there are a number of safe and effective chewables used to prevent heartworm disease in dogs. Iverhart Max tablets are flavored chewable tables sold in monthly doses. In addition to guarding them from heartworm disease, they can also be used to treat hookworm, tapeworm, and roundworm infestations. Although the label says it is safe for dogs eight week of age and older, it is always best to consult your veterinarian before you give your canine friend any drug or supplement. If he has an underlying medical issue, a new medication could cause complications.