Feline Heartworm Disease - New Studies Indicate Cats Are at Risk

The American Heartworm Society has debate the existence and incident of feline heart disease alone with other pet health experts. Cats are infected with the worms when mosquito carrying heartworm larvae chooses the cat for a quick meal. The larvae gladly transfer to the new host and continue to develop as they move through the cat's body. Three or four months later, the heartworm settles into the blood vessels and arteries of the cat and continues to develop. On average, heartworm larvae grow into sexually mature male and female worms in approximately 8 months in cats.

This varies slightly from canine heartworm disease where the worms become mature and able to breed after only months. Breeding adult worms introduce microfilariae into the host cat's blood which are picked up by another mosquito bite which will spread the infection to other animals.

Feline heartworm disease is not as well known as the problem of heartworm disease in dogs. This may be due to the attitude of both pet owner and veterinarians that cats were not at risk of heart disease and the problem was confined to a low number of animals. That assumption has been challenged recently as studies indicate there may be many more instances of feline heartworm disease than previously thought.

Cats provide a resistant host for heartworm and some cats seem to have the ability to rid themselves of this infection spontaneously. This may the result of a strong immune response that kills the larvae before it can develop. Heartworms find it harder to thrive in the feline body than in canines. Cats usually have fewer of the parasites and those present are smaller. In cats, the heartworms live for only 2-3 years while in dogs 5-7 years is common.

Consequences even for felines with immature heartworms can be devastating as the infection can result in pulmonary damage as the dying worms can block arteries and cause lung inflammation that resembles allergic reactions or asthma in symptoms. The syndrome is referred to as Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease. It's to be expected that outdoor cats are at great risk yet many indoor cats can also be infected. Cats are susceptible at all ages from two month old kittens to senior cats with the average age of diagnosis or death being four years.

Cats are often not routinely tested for heartworm but the testing is becoming more common as part of annual exams. Symptoms of feline heartworm disease can be difficult to spot for the pet owner and can be divided in acute and chronic symptoms.

Acute Symptoms
* Convulsions
* Diarrhea/vomiting
* Blindness
* Collapse
* Temporary loss of consciousness
* Difficulty breathing
* Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
* Sudden death

Cats displaying acute symptoms often die before there is time for a diagnosis or treatment as the list above is often a symptom of organ failure.

Chronic symptoms
* Coughing
* Vomiting
* Weight loss
* Lethargy
* Loss of appetite
* Difficult breathing

Diagnosis of heartworm disease in cats can be difficult and negative results on tests are not always accurate. Some tests will only record the presence of adult female worms and not detect immature or male worms.

The risk for cats with heartworm disease is that there is no treatment available that will cure them of the infection. Some cats will recover spontaneously while others will require therapy with prednisone to relieve lung inflammation. In rare cases, surgery to extract heartworms has been successful in cases but is usually reserved for case where the heartworms obstruct blood flow to the heart or liver.

When it comes to feline heartworm disease, prevention is the key. This is relatively easy and cost effective today as products such as Revolution for Cats and Advantage Multi are simple topical spot on products that solve several problems that could affect your pet.

Revolution for cats battles ear mites, breaks the flea life cycle and prevents heartworm, too. This proven pet medication is available by prescription only and is approved by the FDA. The broad-spectrum parasiticide has a great record for safety and is available with prescription at discount pet med sites online. Advantage Multi from Bayer provides total protection from feline heartworm disease while it also controls ear mites, hookworm, roundworm and the common and ever present flea. Advantage Multi requires a prescription from a veterinarian. For pet owners who prefer heartworm prevention pet med that can be taken separately, Interceptor for cats promises protection against heartworm as well as hookworm, roundworm and whipworm which often affect felines.

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