Heartworms are a parasite most often found in dogs. Although cats are more resistant to the disease, which is spread by mosquitoes, they are also more at risk and vulnerable when they develop heartworm. Parasitic heartworm is also known as Dirofilaria immigrant. A look at heartworm symptoms in cats also reveals that the disease is sometimes difficult for veterinarians to diagnose.

Heartworm symptoms

According to the American Heartworm Society, www.heartwormsociety.org, heartworm symptoms are often mistaken for feline asthma, allergic bronchitis or other respiratory diseases. The society concluded that, "Diagnosis by clinical signs alone is nearly impossible, but a cat may exhibit generic signs of illness such as ... "

• Difficulty breathing – Abnormal panting, open-mouthed breathing, gagging or rapid breathing
• Coughing – Unusual asthma-like symptoms
• Vomiting – Food or foam and is usually unrelated to eating
• Weight loss or anorexia – Lack of normal appetite accompanied by unusual weight loss
• Lethargy – A previously active cat can become abnormally lethargic

 

If not caught in the early stages of the disease, acute clinical signs including collapse, convulsions and blindness may occur. A look at heartworm symptoms in cats reveals that they are more vulnerable to heartworms because some cats will die suddenly never having shown any symptoms.

 

Diagnosing heartworm

Difficult and not always accurate, tests that a veterinarian can perform will usually determine if a cat has heartworm. The accuracy of these tests is often in question. False positive results can occur if the cat has previously been treated for heartworm. Other tests are unreliable if the cat is infected with male or immature heartworms. Even negative blood tests do not completely rule out the presence of heartworm.

Cats can carry the disease two to three years in their pulmonary arteries, lungs and hearts.

 

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Cats susceptible to heartworm

Of course outdoor cats have a higher risk of infection because of the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes. However, during summer months when mosquitoes travel anywhere, indoor cats are also at risk. There is no particular age for risk of infection because cases have been reported in cats as young as nine months and up to the age of 17.

A look at heartworm in cats also reveals that some cats have the ability to rid themselves of heartworm. Experts believe that these cats have developed a strong immune response to the heartworm. The parasites die because they are unable to thrive inside the cat’s body.

 

Heartworm treatment

A look at heartworm symptoms in cats is not complete without treatment strategies. The American Heartworm Society warns, "Currently there are no products in the United States approved for the treatment of feline heartworm infection. Most cats with heartworm infection that are not demonstrating clinical signs are allowed the time for a spontaneous cure to occur. If there is evidence of disease in the lungs and their blood vessels consistent with feline heartworm infection, such cases (possibly in the early stage) can be monitored with chest X-rays every six to 12 months as needed. Supportive therapy with small, gradually decreasing doses of Prednisone (a cortisone-like drug) is recommended for cats with radiographic or clinical evidence of lung disease."

Severe cases of feline heartworm may benefit from intravenous fluids, oxygen therapy, confinement, bronchodilators to expand the lungs, cardiovascular drugs and antibiotics.

There are a few products on the market, such as Heartgard®, Revolution TM and Interceptor® that can be used to prevent heartworm. Before giving any of these products to your cat, be sure to consult with your veterinarian for testing and careful monitoring of the product.