Heartworm worry?

ms.blackie

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Is anyone concerned about heartworms in cats.
I just rec'd a Magazine from vet yesterday in mail.
Mentions of course about heartworms in dogs, which I
know, but also cats. Is anyone treating
your indoor cat for heartworm? I think you can
use the advantange flea treatment which covers
both, is that correct? I have only used frontline
plus.
 

buzbyjlc10

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My cat does get Heartguard monthly... he is mostly indoor only, but does go out on a leash and I have a black lab who is constantly in and out... it is very possible for cats to get heartworm just like dogs and IMO I'd rather pay a little money and be safe rather than sorry (I order my heartguard and Frontline Plus through Entirely Pets or 1800petmeds online)... I know that some of those topical flea/tick treatments repel mosquitos as well, but I don't think they do anything if your cat still happens to be bitten by an infected mosquito (I'm not positive though because I never researched those since I use heartguard)... Just my personal opinion is even if your cat is strictly indoor only, buggies can always get in your house when a door opens or through tiny cracks... if you are going to start your cat on Heartguard (or any heartworm preventative) he must be tested beforehand to make sure he is not already infected (you need an Rx for heartworm treatments anyway and every vet I've known won't give one without a test first)
 

goldenkitty45

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IMO unless the cat goes outside a lot and you are in an area with a high rate of heartworm, you don't need to treat the cat - especially if indoors only.

Mine were never treated for heartworm nor tested - they were all inside cats. The dog gets tested and gets the meds for the spring/summer and part of the fall.
 

white cat lover

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Inside cats can get heartworm, Damita with all her issues was tested for it recently.

45 mins from where I live there is a high rate of heartworm in cats and dogs. The vets here do not reccomend treating cats for it.....but I revolution my cats. Fleas/ticks/heartworm are covered by that. I opt specifically for something that is a heartworm preventative just in case.
 

yosemite

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Originally Posted by white cat lover

Inside cats can get heartworm, Damita with all her issues was tested for it recently.

45 mins from where I live there is a high rate of heartworm in cats and dogs. The vets here do not reccomend treating cats for it.....but I revolution my cats. Fleas/ticks/heartworm are covered by that. I opt specifically for something that is a heartworm preventative just in case.
That's why I use Revolution rather than Advantage.
 

buzbyjlc10

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On a side, but related, note: Oliver KNOWS when I'm breaking out his heartworm or frontline and takes off for the hills (ie: the basement or under furniture)
The heartguard is chewable and supposedly tasty to kitties, but Ollie refuses to eat it so I have to pill him and I guess he's just not cool with the bug juice on his neck look lol... so now I try to pop the pill/liquid out of the packaging while he's 2 or 3 floors away or outside on his leash so he doesn't hear it and I can ambush him haha
 

misty8723

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I don't treat mine with heartguard because I don't feel good about feeding my cats pesticides every month.

http://wolfcreekranch1.tripod.com/heartworm.html (about half way down the page)

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 65% of adverse drug reactions and 48% of all reported deaths resulting from drug reactions are caused by heartworm preventatives. The potential side effects of Ivermectin (the active ingredient in Heartgard) include liver problems, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, lethargy, skin eruptions, seizures, tremors, paralysis, autoimmune disorders, thyroid problems, fever, weakness, dizziness, coughing, nose bleeds, difficulty breathing, pneumonia, irritability, sudden aggressive behavior, nerve damage, fertility problems, and sudden death. Other chemical heartworm preventatives have many of the same side effects.
 
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