Heartworm Disease in Cats Why Mosquito Prevention is Essential

Just a mosquito bite could be fatal for your cat... Feline heart disease, or heartworm disease, is typically transmitted by mosquitoes. Cats become infected through mosquito bites, and the heartworm larvae carried by mosquitoes usually originate from mosquitoes that have previously bitten a dog infected with heartworm. Once infected, the heartworm larvae take up residence in the body's tissue, pulmonary blood vessels, and heart chambers. After about 6 months, the larvae mature into adults, but usually in small numbers, making them harder to detect and diagnose compared to dogs. Once mature, the worms migrate and cause damage to the pulmonary blood vessels, lungs, and heart -- and in some cases, they may even travel to the nervous system.

Feline Heart Disease: Common Symptoms Are Mainly Respiratory

These include:

• Coughing, similar to asthma
• Labored breathing

Feline Heart Disease: Other Symptoms That May Occur

These include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Neurological symptoms, such as loss of balance or seizures (in severe cases, this can lead to sudden death)

Diagnosis

Diagnosis can be made through a thorough physical exam, blood tests, chest X-rays, and echocardiography (heart ultrasound) performed by a cardiology specialist.

Treatment for Feline Heart Disease

In cases without severe symptoms, feline heartworm disease can often resolve on its own. We recommend monitoring your cat and following up periodically with a veterinarian, since heartworms typically live for 2-3 years.
In cases showing the symptoms mentioned above, treatment involves anti-inflammatory medication, bronchodilators, and intravenous fluids. If breathing becomes labored, oxygen therapy will also be provided.

That's why preventing fleas, ticks, and heartworm is extremely important. Preventive products are available in spot-on form, and can be given starting from when a cat is 2 months old.

An Animal Clinic Open 24 Hours a Day

For pet owners who care about their pets and want round-the-clock consultation and care, with both online and onsite services available, we recommend Thonglor Pet Hospital. We offer a full range of specialized treatment centers, such as our dermatology and allergy center, feline and canine cardiology center. Most importantly, our team of veterinarians, nurses, and staff are always close by, 24 hours a day -- no matter when illness strikes, we're ready to care for your beloved pet at all times (please make an appointment in advance).

In addition, our veterinary team, nurses, and hospital staff have all been thoroughly trained in understanding pet behavior, giving you confidence that your beloved pet will be happy and safe while you're away on a long trip. If you're interested in our pet boarding services or other offerings, please contact us using the details below.