Download Heartworm Disease in Cats

When do veterinarians recommend
testing for heartworm infection?
Indications for heartworm testing in cats include:
• Prior to prescribing heartworm prevention
medication
•
•
Pre-anesthetic or pre-surgical screening
In cats with clinical signs suggestive of
heartworm disease
•
Monitoring a cat with heartworm disease
•
During periodic health checks
This information is provided to you by your
Heartworm Disease
in Cats
veterinarian and Heska Corporation.
Notes from Your Doctor:
Can feline heartworm disease
be prevented?
Medications are available to prevent your cat from
being infected by heartworms. Your veterinarian can
provide additional information.
What can be done if my cat
has heartworms?
Unfortunately, heartworm treatment in cats can be
difficult and may lead to serious health complications.
It is important to ask your veterinarian for advice
on the management of feline heartworm disease.
Treatment decisions are based on severity of the
cat’s signs and physical condition. In many cases, the
actual heartworm infection is not treated and the
heartworms are allowed to die off naturally. Various
medications can be used to control the clinical signs
(such as coughing, vomiting and difficulty breathing).
Questions & Answers
800.464.3752 I www.heska.com
The American Heartworm Society recommends
annual heartworm testing for dogs and as
indicated for cats in its 2014 Guidelines for the
Diagnosis, Prevention and Management of
Heartworm Infection. www.heartwormsociety.org
©2015 Heska Corporation­. All Rights Reserved. HESKA and Solo Step are registered trademarks
of Heska Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. EP 0 296 724 B1; Patents Pending. Order# 15LT0804
What causes heartworm disease?
Heartworm disease is caused by a worm called
“Dirofilaria immitis.” Heartworms are most
commonly found in dogs. However, they can infect
a wide variety of mammals, including cats, ferrets,
sea lions, bears, foxes, wolves, coyotes, and even
people. Adult heartworms generally live in the
heart and major arteries of the lungs, although
they may be found in other areas of the body.
What are the signs of feline heartworm disease?
How do I know if my cat
has heartworms?
Clinical signs of heartworm disease in cats vary. Some
cats do not show any significant clinical signs. Vomiting
and/or respiratory signs (such as coughing and difficulty
breathing) are seen commonly in chronic heartworm
disease. Cats may have severe, acute disease with signs
of respiratory collapse. They may suddenly die. If your
cat is heartworm positive and develops clinical signs,
see your veterinarian immediately.
It is difficult to diagnose feline heartworm disease
based on clinical signs alone, as many other diseases
can cause similar signs. Your veterinarian may check
your cat for heartworms, especially if your cat lives in
an area where heartworms are seen in dogs or if your
cat is showing signs suggestive of heartworm disease.
An in-hospital blood test has been developed to aid in
the diagnosis of heartworm infection in cats. Ask your
veterinarian about the Solo Step FH Feline Heartworm
Test from Heska.
How are heartworms transmitted?
Heartworms can only be transmitted from one animal to another by mosquitoes. Adult worms produce microfilariae (small, immature heartworms) which may be found in the blood of infected dogs. The mosquito
ingests heartworm microfilariae when biting an infected host (usually a dog). The microfilariae develop in the
mosquito into "infective larvae" and are deposited with saliva on the dog's skin as the mosquito is feeding.
The infective larvae pass through the skin and migrate through the body tissues.
My cat is an indoor cat. Can it be
infected with heartworms?
Yes, heartworm infections have been reported in
indoor cats. Studies have shown indoor cats are just as
susceptible to heartworm infection as outdoor cats. In
heartworm endemic areas, 28% of the cats diagnosed
with heartworm disease were inside-only cats.1 If a
mosquito carrying heartworm infective larvae enters
the house, it can bite your cat and the larvae may
infect your cat.
FELINE HEARTWORM LIFE CYCLE
Microfilariae ingested by mosquito with
blood meal
Infective larvae deposited on skin of cat
during blood meal
Should I get my cat tested for
heartworm infection?
Consult your veterinarian.
Dog with circulating microfilariae
Microfilariae develop into infective
larvae in mosquito
Heartworm larvae migrate in tissues of the
cat and eventually reach the heart and
lungs
1
Richards, JR. "Know the Enemy: Heartworm Campaign Targets Common Misconceptions." INSIDE & OUT. January 2007.
What causes heartworm disease?
Heartworm disease is caused by a worm called
“Dirofilaria immitis.” Heartworms are most
commonly found in dogs. However, they can infect
a wide variety of mammals, including cats, ferrets,
sea lions, bears, foxes, wolves, coyotes, and even
people. Adult heartworms generally live in the
heart and major arteries of the lungs, although
they may be found in other areas of the body.
What are the signs of feline heartworm disease?
How do I know if my cat
has heartworms?
Clinical signs of heartworm disease in cats vary. Some
cats do not show any significant clinical signs. Vomiting
and/or respiratory signs (such as coughing and difficulty
breathing) are seen commonly in chronic heartworm
disease. Cats may have severe, acute disease with signs
of respiratory collapse. They may suddenly die. If your
cat is heartworm positive and develops clinical signs,
see your veterinarian immediately.
It is difficult to diagnose feline heartworm disease
based on clinical signs alone, as many other diseases
can cause similar signs. Your veterinarian may check
your cat for heartworms, especially if your cat lives in
an area where heartworms are seen in dogs or if your
cat is showing signs suggestive of heartworm disease.
An in-hospital blood test has been developed to aid in
the diagnosis of heartworm infection in cats. Ask your
veterinarian about the Solo Step FH Feline Heartworm
Test from Heska.
How are heartworms transmitted?
Heartworms can only be transmitted from one animal to another by mosquitoes. Adult worms produce microfilariae (small, immature heartworms) which may be found in the blood of infected dogs. The mosquito
ingests heartworm microfilariae when biting an infected host (usually a dog). The microfilariae develop in the
mosquito into "infective larvae" and are deposited with saliva on the dog's skin as the mosquito is feeding.
The infective larvae pass through the skin and migrate through the body tissues.
My cat is an indoor cat. Can it be
infected with heartworms?
Yes, heartworm infections have been reported in
indoor cats. Studies have shown indoor cats are just as
susceptible to heartworm infection as outdoor cats. In
heartworm endemic areas, 28% of the cats diagnosed
with heartworm disease were inside-only cats.1 If a
mosquito carrying heartworm infective larvae enters
the house, it can bite your cat and the larvae may
infect your cat.
FELINE HEARTWORM LIFE CYCLE
Microfilariae ingested by mosquito with
blood meal
Infective larvae deposited on skin of cat
during blood meal
Should I get my cat tested for
heartworm infection?
Consult your veterinarian.
Dog with circulating microfilariae
Microfilariae develop into infective
larvae in mosquito
Heartworm larvae migrate in tissues of the
cat and eventually reach the heart and
lungs
1
Richards, JR. "Know the Enemy: Heartworm Campaign Targets
Common Misconceptions." INSIDE & OUT. January 2007.
When do veterinarians recommend
testing for heartworm infection?
Indications for heartworm testing in cats include:
• Prior to prescribing heartworm prevention
medication
•
•
Pre-anesthetic or pre-surgical screening
In cats with clinical signs suggestive of
heartworm disease
•
Monitoring a cat with heartworm disease
•
During periodic health checks
This information is provided to you by your
Heartworm Disease
in Cats
veterinarian and Heska Corporation.
Notes from Your Doctor:
Can feline heartworm disease
be prevented?
Medications are available to prevent your cat from
being infected by heartworms. Your veterinarian can
provide additional information.
What can be done if my cat
has heartworms?
Unfortunately, heartworm treatment in cats can be
difficult and may lead to serious health complications.
It is important to ask your veterinarian for advice
on the management of feline heartworm disease.
Treatment decisions are based on severity of the
cat’s signs and physical condition. In many cases, the
actual heartworm infection is not treated and the
heartworms are allowed to die off naturally. Various
medications can be used to control the clinical signs
(such as coughing, vomiting and difficulty breathing).
Questions & Answers
800.464.3752 I www.heska.com
The American Heartworm Society recommends
annual heartworm testing for dogs and as
indicated for cats in its 2014 Guidelines for the
Diagnosis, Prevention and Management of
Heartworm Infection. www.heartwormsociety.org
©2015 Heska Corporation­. All Rights Reserved. HESKA and Solo Step are registered trademarks
of Heska Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. EP 0 296 724 B1; Patents Pending. Order# 15LT0804
When do veterinarians recommend
testing for heartworm infection?
Indications for heartworm testing in cats include:
• Prior to prescribing heartworm prevention
medication
•
•
Pre-anesthetic or pre-surgical screening
In cats with clinical signs suggestive of
heartworm disease
•
Monitoring a cat with heartworm disease
•
During periodic health checks
This information is provided to you by your
Heartworm Disease
in Cats
veterinarian and Heska Corporation.
Notes from Your Doctor:
Can feline heartworm disease
be prevented?
Medications are available to prevent your cat from
being infected by heartworms. Your veterinarian can
provide additional information.
What can be done if my cat
has heartworms?
Unfortunately, heartworm treatment in cats can be
difficult and may lead to serious health complications.
It is important to ask your veterinarian for advice
on the management of feline heartworm disease.
Treatment decisions are based on severity of the
cat’s signs and physical condition. In many cases, the
actual heartworm infection is not treated and the
heartworms are allowed to die off naturally. Various
medications can be used to control the clinical signs
(such as coughing, vomiting and difficulty breathing).
Questions & Answers
800.464.3752 I www.heska.com
The American Heartworm Society recommends
annual heartworm testing for dogs and as
indicated for cats in its 2014 Guidelines for the
Diagnosis, Prevention and Management of
Heartworm Infection. www.heartwormsociety.org
©2015 Heska Corporation­. All Rights Reserved. HESKA and Solo Step are registered trademarks
of Heska Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. EP 0 296 724 B1; Patents Pending. Order# 15LT0804