Heartworms in Cats

Most dog owners understand the importance of protecting their pets against the threat of heartworms. To do so, dog owners take their dogs to the vet for annual heartworm screening tests and give them heartworm medication regularly. However, many pet owners do not realize that cats are at risk for heartworms and need similar protection.

Although heartworms do occur more commonly in dogs, your cat is still at a great risk of contracting this deadly parasite. To find out more about protecting your cat from heartworms, contact your Austin Vet Clinic today.

The Truth about Heartworm in Cats

There are certain things to keep in mind when it comes to heartworms in felines versus canines. Some facts include:

• Most mosquitoes acquire the deadly heartworm larvae known as microfilaria from dogs and can then pass it on to cats.

• There are several tests to detect heartworms in cats, as it is more difficult to detect the parasites in cats than it is in dogs.

• The most alarming thing about heartworms in cats is that there is no real effective treatment at this time. The treatment for heartworms in dogs has been tested on cats but can result in death.

Heartworms are a serious issue to be vigilant about as an owner of either dogs or cats.

Contact Us

To find out more about the specific nature of heartworms in cats and to explore possible treatment options if you believe that your cat is already infected, contact your Austin Vet Clinic today.