Effective Ways to Prevent Heartworm Disease in Cats

Many cat owners mistakenly believe that as long as their feline friends receive their vaccinations on time, they are protected against diseases. Unfortunately, this misconception is quite common. However, as responsible pet parents, it is crucial that we remain vigilant about preventing heartworm disease in our cats, as it has increasingly become a significant threat to their health.

Veterinarians often field inquiries from pet owners about heartworm disease in cats. Let's delve into this topic in detail.

What causes heartworm disease?

Contrary to popular belief, heartworm disease is not exclusive to dogs. While cats are not the natural hosts for heartworms, it does not mean they are immune to infection. If a cat is bitten by a mosquito carrying heartworm larvae, these larvae can enter the cat's body through the bloodstream, leading to the disease.

Why isn't heartworm disease in cats given enough attention?

One reason is that compared to dogs, cats are less susceptible to infection, and they have a stronger resistance to heartworms. According to a report from the United States, in similar conditions, the infection rate for cats is only 5 to 15 percent. Moreover, even when infected, symptoms are often subtle. Approximately 28 percent of infected cats show no symptoms. This makes diagnosing heartworm disease in cats more challenging than in dogs.

Methods to check for heartworm disease in cats include antigen tests, antibody tests, and echocardiograms. However, the accuracy of these tests is lower than in dogs, making it difficult to detect infection. Consequently, some cats with heartworm disease may be misdiagnosed with other conditions, leading to potential oversight.

Due to the rarity of severe cases and the lack of specific prevention methods for cats, heartworm disease has not received the attention it deserves.

How can we prevent heartworm disease in cats?

Since heartworm infections in cats are rare, there are hardly any medications specifically developed for their prevention. While it's possible to use heartworm preventatives designed for dogs, these are not tailored for cats, and their safety cannot be guaranteed by veterinarians.

In Japan, the only available heartworm preventive for cats is Revolution (レボリューション). Widely used for flea prevention, it is also highly effective against heartworms. Simply applying it to the cat's back is a convenient and highly recommended method.

Do you need to confirm the cat's infection status before using medication?

Using medication on a cat that is already infected with heartworm can trigger a shock response similar to that in dogs. Therefore, it is essential to confirm whether the cat is indeed infected.

If your cat starts showing persistent coughing, rapid breathing, increased wheezing, lethargy, decreased appetite, weight loss, vomiting, or excessive sleepiness, it may be infected with heartworms:

Difficulty breathing is often the first symptom of heartworm infection, but it can easily be mistaken for asthma or bronchitis. As a pet parent, it is crucial to take these symptoms seriously. To ensure a proper diagnosis, contact your veterinarian promptly.

In summary:

1. Although cats are not the natural hosts for heartworms and the risk to their lives is not as severe as in dogs, the disease does exist.

2. Symptoms of infection can mimic respiratory diseases, so it's vital to seek medical attention promptly.

3. In addition to medication, a smart preventive measure is to keep your cat away from mosquitoes. Think creatively about effective ways to reduce mosquito bites.