HEARTWORM DISEASE

Also Affects

CATS!      

 

YES! Cats are at risk for heartworm disease too!!! Even indoor only cats can be affected. In fact, up to 33% of reported cases are in cats who are described by their owners as strictly indoors. For cats, the prevalence of heartworm infection is directly related to the number of infected dogs in the area. Age is not a risk factor either; cats of any age can be affected.

 

How Does Heartworm Disease Occur?

The cycle begins when a mosquito bites an infected dog or cat and ingests heartworm larvae into its own bloodstream. When this mosquito carrying the infective larvae then bites into a cat for a blood meal these infective larvae are injected under the skin of the cat. The larvae grow for 3-4 months and eventually make their way into the heart where they develop into adults and can cause serious life threatening problems for your cat. Even in early stages, cats can experience changes in their lung tissue too, which is very different than how heartworm disease affects dogs!

 

Symptoms of Heartworm Disease in Your Cat:

Cats can have a wide range of symptoms, with some having no symptoms at all. Clinical signs can be very non-specific, and may mimic many other feline diseases which makes diagnosing heartworm disease often difficult. Symptoms do not usually occur until damage has already occurred to the heart. Signs are:

-          difficulty breathing

-          coughing

-          vomiting

-          collapsing

-          lethargy

-          anorexia

-          weight loss

-          decreased ability to exercise

-          sudden death

 

There is NO treatment for heartworm disease once a cat is infected, therefore PREVENTION IS THE KEY!

 

Heartworm Prevention:

Heartworms are preventable NOT treatable! There are several options for preventative medicine. Please talk to us about which one is best for your cat. We do recommend a heartworm test before starting any type of prevention. This blood test is conducted to determine if your cat has already been exposed or is infected.

 

CALL US TODAY FOR PREVENTATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR CAT!

We would like you to know that our prices are equal or LESS THAN those on the infamous web sites and T.V. adds!!!

We also offer free home delivery on all of your cat’s heartworm prevention needs!

 

 

PREVENTION IS THE KEY

TO KEEPING YOUR CAT SAFE FROM HEATWORM DISEASE!

To find out more information about heartworm disease check out the following websites:

 

American Heartworm Society: www.heartwormsociety.org

Association of Feline Practitioners: www.aafponline.org

Companion Animal Parasite Council: www.petsandparasites.org

Pfizer Corporation: www.knowheartworm.org