Heartworms

I posted weeks ago about my kitten, Biskit, showing weird signs of sickness. We took her to the vet a few days ago and they made a final diagnosis that she was contracted with heartworms. They said we should, in their own words, "try to keep her alive," while giving her medicine to treat it. She is a little under a year old. Does anyone know an estimated percentage of her, or any cats/kittens, survival rate? I did some research and "death" came up 98% of the time. I really hope she lives through this. She's my baby

As long as you follow your veterinarians instructions to the letter your cat has a very good chance of not only surviving, but living a long and healthy life. In fact heartworm treatments are now safer than ever when compared to only a few short years ago.

So when you read "gloom and doom" websites please take note of the year the information was published as veterinary medicine has made vast improvements.

The problem with heartworm treatment is in limiting the animals movement during the treatment phase. As the medication kills the adult heartworms excessive movement of the animal dislodges them and allows them to enter the vascular system which is dangerous.
Many vets will opt to keep the animal during this period, and that is something you may want to consider, as keeping kittens inactive can be difficult.

The good news is that considering the young age of the animal I would think it hadn't time to develop a lot of adult heartworms, and those it does have shouldn't be really huge.

I also think that the advice of your veterinarian to "try to keep her alive" is a little bit lacking in terms of providing support to you. I might consider using someone else if this is all they can say to you.

Heartworm treatment will appear intimidating at first but with the support of a good veterinarian it really needn't be- thousands of pet owners have done it.
You just need a vet who is willing to provide you with information about what is going on and how best to handle it, and hold your hand a little on the way.

Just as Cearbhill said it can be very dangerous but if the medicine is given appropriatly and I too suggest that your kitty board at the hospital while being treated your kitty should be fine. In my 6 yrs, as a vet tech I have only seen 3 cases of heartworm-only in dogs, never in cats, but then again Colorado is really not that bad for heartworm. All of the cases we have treated have done GREAT! I think it is unfair and almost rude of your vet to give you such a vague and unpleasant outcome-I know it can be dangerous and scary but come on! I would also recommend that after Biskit is finished with treatment and 2 heartworm tests have come back negative, to place Biskit on heartworm prevention-it is a cheap and easy way to guarantee that this does not happen again. Here in Colorado the vets here do not recommend we keep our cats on Heartguard but I do know they make a preventative. I hope Biskit does well and I will keep good thoughts heading your way-let us know how Biskit does

I'm so sorry about Biskit. That's horrible. I know heartworm can be difficult to get rid of in dogs but I don't know about cats. I'm sure with you taking care of Biskit, things will turn out all right. I will definately keep her in my thought and prayers. Try to keep your head up.

The doctor presecribed Delta Albaplex that we have to give her by oral every 12 hours. She looks so much healthier now! I'm so happy!