Cat Heartworm: Does Your Cat Have Heartworm?

Have you read the series of articles that I shared on heartworm for dogs? How about cat heartworm?

Here’s the latest article that I shared: Prevent Heartworm: You Can Laugh At Your Heartworm Worries — If You Follow This Simple Plan 

This is to ensure that pet parents are aware of the huge possibility of heartworm infection in dogs. Especially that Philippines is a country where mosquitoes are a common sight.

But what if you are a cat person? Is heartworm infection possible for your cat?

One pet parent before thought her cat was just having asthma.

After further tests, to her dismay, the cat actually had heartworm. And there is nothing can be done about it anymore.

Read on to find out why.

Cat Heartworm: Feline Heartworm Infection

Cat Heartworm

Recently Dirofilaria immitis infection in cats has been receiving a lot of attention. Cats are susceptible to this worm but they are much more resistant of getting infected compared to dogs.

Typically, cats do not show signs if they are infected and are not normally tested for heartworm.

The prevalence rate of infection in cats is about 10% compared to dogs.

Infection in cats differs from dogs in several ways.  Cats tend to harbour very few adult worms, maybe just one or two.  

Even though cats get less worms,  they have a relatively smaller body size than dogs.  

This may cause more problems and are still considered to be heavily infected.

Cat Heartworm 2

The presence of heartworm larvae can cause a respiratory ailment often mistakenly identified as asthma.  This is called Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease.

Compared to dogs,  there is no approved treatment for adult heartworm in cats.

It is better to have a preventive to keep them from getting infected with this worm.

Do not wait for heartworm to infect your cats.

Ask your vet about cat heartworm and how you can prevent it.

Visit us now at Makati Dog and Cat Hospital and enjoy peace of mind taking care of your cat.

 

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM
Pet Happiness Expert
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital

Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC

“The St. Luke’s of Pet Hospitals” – from a Happy Client

P.S. You might want to read more on Heartworm here:

About the Author

>