Risk of Heartworm in cats?

I know at one time this was considered an issue only for dogs.. but now you are hearing of cats getting heartworm as well.

What is the REAL risk of cats getting heartworm? Is the risk enough to justify putting them on a heartworm preventative? Does that partially depend on the area you live in?

I keep my dog on heartguard year-round.

My vet says depends on where you live. She does not recommend my cats be put on heartworm preventative. But my friend rescued a stray who had them. Her vet put her kitty on Revolution for cats, as the only treatment.

If you already treat for fleas you can use the flea spot on Revolution for cats for protection, you don't need an extra medicine.

It does depend on where you live. In the area I'm in no cases have ever been reported in cats, and there's not that many in dogs. Go towards the central part of the state and further east where they get more rain, and that changes.

You'd need to sit down with your vet and ask, you also need to take into account the surrounding counties. If the amount of dogs getting heartworm is fairly high than the risk to cats is just as high.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

It does depend on where you live. In the area I'm in no cases have ever been reported in cats, and there's not that many in dogs. Go towards the central part of the state and further east where they get more rain, and that changes.

You'd need to sit down with your vet and ask, you also need to take into account the surrounding counties. If the amount of dogs getting heartworm is fairly high than the risk to cats is just as high.

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Ask your vet , if they evade the answer ( yes a few I know have) ... Call around most clinics freely give the info...

Our Dakota had them from day one. Considering where my stepdaughter found him, he is lucky to be alive.

Our vet told us about the heartworms and it will go away on it own. Because of the way cats are, it was not as serious like in dogs. We put Dakota on the meds after the test came back negative for heartworms.

To how he was found. My stepdaughter found him covered in ants in a ditch by her mother's house. Because he does have some brain damage (from birth we have found out) he did not know (at 6 weeks) how to get out of the mud. Dakota is now 6 1/2 yrs old. He has the problems where the cats to not walk correctly... the back feet do not talk to the front feet.... but he is very lovable.

Just what we went through with heartworms and We are in Florida.

Originally Posted by Fluffee

Because of the way cats are, it was not as serious like in dogs.

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You need to do more research on heartworms. While they can't breed in a cat like they can a dog, all it takes is one worm to kill a cat. This site has some decent info, with the veterinary resource
information given being even more specific.

Dogs can be treated. Positive cats either live through the infection and subsequent die off of the worm(s) or die.

I have to admit I got lax with applying Revolution to my two during the winter months - (suburban Chicago) - but no more, after they get their next senior panels. My Dharma absolutely hates that monthly application - but she's going to have to get used to it. If they don't have heartworm, they're going on Revolution monthly. A friend's young cat has tested positive for heartworm - indoor kitty - but, of course, mosquitoes get in. And, yes, nothing to do but watchful waiting and praying for the little one.

I think years ago vets only worried about cats in the warmer, more humid sections of North America. Now, from what I've read in the Cornell & Tufts newsletters, it's a different story. The thing is Revolution isn't the cheapest treatment in all the world - and vets are aware that many patients will stop bringing their pets in for treatment if they think the vet is 'pushing' too many things at them. I would suggest all owners bring up heartworm prevention on their own to their vets. And don't count on being in an area that has real winters, or that your cats are indoor kitties, as being fail safe.

It's becoming more and more prevalent in cats now. it is a nasty disease and the treatment can be deadly for both dogs and cats. Best to treat them as a preventative as heartworm is spreading rapidly.

strange_wings,

I just know what our vet told us at that time. We have had no more troubles in any of our cats since then. With 8 you would think we see more problems, nothing like living in the sub-tropicals here...lol.

Our biggest problems here are the outbreaks of fleas during the wet days. I'm looking into the Advange Mult someone was talking about to see how that works.

Money is always the biggest problem now days... <sigh>

I have personally known one confirmed death in a young cat (1-2 years of age) from heart worm.

Originally Posted by Fluffee

strange_wings,

I just know what our vet told us at that time.

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And your vet likely didn't bring out recent studies and publications on the matter. Docs and vets tend to smooth over some details or even skip things altogether. That's why it's important to do logical research from trusted sources - and to ask the proper questions once you're informed.

And it's pure chance in cats. They can still get it, but they're not the ideal host so I'm sure there are a lot more cats out there that have been infected but had them die at earlier larvae stages so they don't get the serious illness. Plus, most people don't have a cat checked unless there's symptoms suggesting infection. In areas were cats are more indoor/outdoor a person may only rarely here a cat cough or wheeze.
(For example, my vet hasn't seen an asthmatic cat before. I highly doubt there's a lack of them in my area, just a lack of cats getting treatment)
In fact, even on here people suggest hairballs for a coughing cat before suggest anything else. So who knows what non informed cats owners would do with a coughing cat?

Pfizer and Bayer do on occasion offer coupons on their products - such as a free tube with so many purchased. So check the sites for their products.