Do cats get heartworm disease? Yes, though often
with different symptoms and results than a canine who contracts
heartworms.
Can heartworms in cats be treated? No, once heartworms
reach their adult stage inside a feline host, there are no
licensed treatments available. Your vet will only be able to
monitor and offer secondary care designed to help the cat cope
with organs damaged by the parasites. The only way to ensure your
cat does not fall victim to heartworms is to use a preventative
heartworm medicine designed for cats.
Why haven't I heard more about heartworms in cats?
Because cats are not the preferred host animal for heartworm
parasites, they display very different symptoms to dogs. It is
now thought that many cats previously diagnosed with feline
asthma or bronchitis were likely to be suffering from heartworm
disease. Fewer cats receive complete veterinary care than dogs,
so few cats with heartworms are likely to visit a vet. Also
heartworms thrive in canine hosts, but merely survive in feline
ones. A cat may be free of heartworms within three years compared
to seven for a dog.
What is the likelihood of heartworm in cats where I
live? This is a very difficult figure to gauge. But
generally if you find out the rate of heartworms in dogs in your
area, you can get a rough idea. The rate of infection in cats in
any particular place is likely to be around 20-40% the rate of
infection in dogs.
Do I need to give my car preventative heartworm
medicine? It depends whether you feel the risk in your
region warrants such care. Speak to your vet about the risk of
canine heartworm disease. If you feel you would offer a
dog heartworm medicine you should consider offering it to
your cat too.
Does my cat need to see a vet before using heartworm
medicine? Yes, once a year your cat should see a vet who
will determine whether they are already host to the heartworm
parasite.
Can I buy
heartworm medicine without a prescription? Rules
regarding prescription pet medicines are different in different
countries. Our sponsors are based in Canada where most heartworm
medicine is prescription free.
Can I combine heartworm medicine with other cat
treatments? Yes, there are several heartworm medicines
for cats that also tackle other parasites. Heartgard Plus is an
all round controller of internal parasites. Revolution tackles
both heartworm and fleas, whilst Advantage Multi (known as
Advocate in some countries) deals with fleas, heartworms and
intestinal worms.
Can I use dog heartworm medicine on my cat? No, cats are
susceptible to reactions towards different parasite fighting
ingredients. Only used heartworm medication approved for use on
cats, and check the weight of your cat first to ensure you are
giving the correct dosage.
Is heartworm medicine necessary all year long? In
theory, yes. The American Heartworm Society recommend year round
use of preventative heartworm meds on both dogs and cats. In
practice, many pet owners only use such treatments when
mosquitoes are active. Speak to your vet about the risks in your
area.
Are discount heartworm medicines available? Yes, if you
compare prices from online pet med outlets they are likely to be
much cheaper than those your vet can offer. Our sponsors stock
several forms of cat heartworm pills and drops at heavily
discounted products. Dog owners are luckier that a wide range of
even cheaper, but equally effective
generic heartworm
medicines are available. At the moment demand is not great
enough for generics to be offered to cat owners. By combining
your cats heartworm medication with another form of parasite
control such as flea drops, you can make further savings.
