Heartworm disease may be as common in cats as it is in dogs and has been diagnosed throughout America.

As in dogs, feline heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes. But unlike dogs there is currently no treatment for feline heartworm disease.

Heartworms in cats cause H.A.R.D. (Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease) and less commonly heart disease, which can be fatal.

Approximately 30% of cats that have heartworm disease live indoors only. The life cycle of the heartworm is extensive and takes six to seven months to complete.

The cycle starts when an infected mosquito transmits larva into a cat as it bites. Larva then travel to connective tissues in the body to mature. During the next 4 months, larva migrate through the lungs, where most are killed by the cats' immune system. This causes a severe inflammatory response. Signs of heartworm disease can mimic other respiratory disorders such as feline asthma.

Diagnosing feline heartworm disease can be challenging. Blood testing, chest x-rays and ultrasound may lead to a diagnosis however these tests can be falsely negative.

Feline H.A.R.D. is a serious, life-threatening disease. We highly recommend monthly heartworm preventative for cats, as we do for dogs.

Oral preventative drugs such as Heartgard®/Iverhart® or a topical preventative such as Revolution®® can be used. Revolution®® prevents heartworm disease, fleas, ear mites, and some intestinal parasites. Revolution®® should be applied to indoor and outdoor cats monthly, April through November. Revolution®® may need to be started earlier in the year or continued later in the year depending on the weather.

As a general rule of thumb, if it's warm enough to see mosquitoes, cats should be receiving protection.