Otherwise, the only other real option to treat an
active heartworm infection in cats is to administer the same medication used for dogs... which is notoriously toxic to cats and can cause lethal damage on its own.
Cats Heartworm infection in cats is a more elusive diagnosis, requiring use of heartworm serology, thoracic radiography, and echocardiography for clinical diagnosis.
Unfortunately, unlike dogs, there is no drug used to
treat heartworm infection in cats, so a long - term plan of proper vet care and maintaining monthly preventatives (like pills, topicals, or shots) is key.
Signs of
heartworm infection in cats can be confused with signs of many other diseases, including feline asthma.
Treatment in Cats: There is currently no satisfactory treatment approach to
heartworm infections in cats.
Heartworm infection in cats is very different than in dogs, but it still has the potential to be just as deadly.
The diagnosis of
heartworm infection in cats is more difficult than it is with dogs.
Diagnosis of
heartworm infection in cats is problematic.
For more detailed information, refer to the separate handouts «Roundworm Infection in Cats», «Hookworm Infection in Cats», «Tapeworm Infection in Cats», and «
Heartworm Infection in Cats».
Currently, there are no products in the United States approved for the treatment of
heartworm infection in cats.
Heartworm larvae can trigger a severe immune reaction called heartworm associated respiratory disease (HARD); this syndrome occurs in an estimated 50 % of
heartworm infections in cats.
Cases of
heartworm infection in cats, although comparatively more rare, are more difficult to deal with.
By using antigen and antibody tests together, veterinarians can increase the chances of accurately diagnosing
heartworm infection in cats.
Testing for
heartworm infections in cats is much harder to do than in dogs since cats are not the natural host for heartworms.
Prevention of
heartworm infection in cats is critical since the Heartworm Society reports there is no treatment that prolongs survival of cats diagnosed with adult heartworms.
Heartworm infection in cats is harder to detect than in dogs.
Unfortunately at this time there is no approved treatment for
heartworm infection in cats.
Although there is no current treatment for
heartworm infections in cats (because the drugs for dogs are not safe for felines), prudent, appropriate veterinary care provided to cats with heartworm disease can often be very helpful.
According to the American Heartworm Society symptoms of
Heartworm infection in cats can vary from dramatic to subtle signs.
While only 5 percent of cats are on heartworm preventive, the American Heartworm Society reports rates of diagnosed
heartworm infections in cats are on the rise.
Symptoms of Heartworm Infection: According to the AHS, symptoms of
Heartworm infection in cats and dogs range from subtle to dramatic signs.
During the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum in Baltimore on June 1, the AHS announced the «2005 Guidelines for the Diagnosis, Prevention and Management of Heartworm Infection in Dogs,» and the «2005 Guidelines for the Diagnosis, Prevention and Management of
Heartworm Infection in Cats.»
The «Guidelines for the Diagnosis, Prevention and Management of
Heartworm Infection in Cats» is updated on an ongoing basis.