Heartworms are parasitic worms that can infect dogs, cats, ferrets and other mammals (including humans). For this article, we’re going to be focused on the heartworm signs and treatment in dogs and cats.
How Heartworms are Transmitted
Heartworms are transmitted through mosquito bites and not passed directly from pet to pet. When a mosquito ingests blood from an animal with microfilaria, the tiny, immature worms, and transmits them to another animal, the worms can develop into full-blown heartworms in dogs. Once inside the pet’s body the worms mature and live in the heart and blood vessels. This could lead to serious health issues including heart failure.
For cats, heartworms often stay small and don’t grow into mature worms, but they can still cause major problems. Heartworm disease often is misdiagnosed in cats and when they start having respiratory problems, veterinarians will diagnose it as heartworm associated respiratory disease (HARD).
It’s important to protect your dogs and cats from heartworms by using preventative medications prescribed by a veterinarian. Regular checkups and screenings can help detect the treat heartworms early.
Heartworm Testing
Testing in dogs can be done via a blood test, an antigen test, x-rays and even echocardiogram can be used to detect heartworms.
Testing for heartworms in cats is difficult because many of the worms stay small and they’re harder to detect. However, veterinarians can take x-rays to check for the small worms, they can use the antigen and antibody tests also.
Heartworm Signs and Symptoms in Dogs and Cats
It’s important to know that there are four stages (or classes) of symptoms. Many are so mild you may overlook them, however, it’s important to monitor your pet and reach out to your veterinarian if you see your pet acting abnormal.
- Stage 1 really has minimal symptoms other than a minor cough possibly
- Stage 2 is where regular activity becomes difficult, they become lethargic and cough worsens
- Stage 3 shows weigh loss, enlarged stomach, much less energy, weak pulse, obvious health issues
- Stage 4 is the stage where it’s life-threatening, this stage is also referred to as caval syndrome. Animals in this stage are likely close to organ failure and using medicine to combat the disease is difficult. This stage also is where the animal has pale gums and dark urine, reflecting organ failure
Heartworm Symptoms in Cats
Early signs that your cat may have heartworm can be: difficulty breathing and coughing, an unsteady gait and falling, sometimes cats will vomit and stop eating. Worse yet, they just fall over and seem to pass out, but they actually die.
Other problems that can happen include:
- Blood clots if the worms make their way to the lungs
- Worm migration to other parts of the body like eyes, spine, other organs and circulatory system
- Respiratory problems
- Decreased immune system which leads to them getting sick more often
Heartworm Prevention in Dogs and Cats
There are many vet-prescribed options for preventing heartworms in dogs approved by the FDA. There are several methods for application:
- One is a liquid you put on their skin
- Another method is a pill your dog can swallow
- There’s another type of chewable pill
- And there’s also an injectable option given by a vet every six or 12 months.
Some of these preventatives also protect against other critters like intestinal worms and even fleas, ticks and ear mites in dogs. It’s a great way to keep your pups safe from a variety of pests.
Other things you can do to help prevent mosquitos in your living area is:
- Reduce places of standing water
- Use pet-approved mosquito repellant
- Limit your pet’s exposure outside at dawn and dusk which are times mosquitos are more active
Veterinarians recommend Indoor and outdoor cats be tested yearly for heartworm and be given a monthly pill or topical heartworm prevention.
Also, as stated above, there are things you can do outside to minimize mosquito activity if your cat goes outside. Limiting their outdoor time at dusk and dawn, just like with dogs, can also help.
Treatment
Prevention is key! Heartworm treatment is quite a challenge for both the pup and the owner. It’s not only potentially harmful to the dog but also causes a dent in the budget. The process involves a lot of steps, vet appointments, tests, x-rays, staying at the clinic and several shots. It’s a serious commitment.
At this time there isn’t a generalized treatment medicine for cats and often their illness is managed on a case-by-case basis because cats react differently to heartworms. Remarkably, some cats have few symptoms and the body heals itself while other cats suffer tremendously.
Quick Facts about Heartworms
- Heartworms can cause serious health problems in both dogs and cats including heart failure and organ damage
- Mosquitoes transmit heartworm larvae to dogs and other mammals when they bite
- Heartworm disease in dogs can be prevented through regular use of FDA approved preventative medicines
- Unfortunately there is no heartworm prevention for cats at this time
- Once a dog or cat is infected with heartworms it takes about two months for the worms to migrate to the heart
- It takes roughly six months for heartworms to mature in dogs and cats
- The worms can live in a dog for up to seven years but only 2-3 in cats
We hope this article gave you an insight as to what heartworm disease is, how it’s transmitted, treated and prevented. And, that the myth about cats not being able to get heartworm is in fact that, a myth. Protect your pets the best you can and please seek treatment if you notice your pet behaving differently.
Reach out to us if you need pet care, dog walking or grooming services – we can do out best to help if you’re in the Muncie, Indiana area.
Thanks for reading,
Isabel Tweedy, Guest Writer
Kelley Stewart | Founder & President
sit-stay-play In-home pet sitting & more.inc
“Your pet sitting, dog walking, poop scooping specialists!”
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