Can Cats Get Heartworm Too?

Heartworm Awareness Month is the perfect time to alert pet owners to the dangers of mosquitoes. Known for getting outdoors, this season also marks the beginning of heartworm transmission, which is a silent threat that every pet owner needs to be aware of. But are dogs the only pets that are susceptible to this disease? Find out more in this article courtesy of us at Coast to Coast Cardiology.

What is Heartworm?

So, what exactly is heartworm? Heartworm disease is caused by parasitic worms that live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels of dogs and cats. These worms are transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites an infected animal, it ingests microscopic worms called microfilariae.

Over the next 10-14 days, these microfilariae develop into infective larvae within the mosquito. When the infected mosquito bites another susceptible animal, these larvae are deposited into the new host’s bloodstream.

In dogs, the larvae migrate through the tissues and mature into adult worms, which can grow up to a foot in length. These adult worms then make their way to the heart and lungs, where they can live for five to seven years.

Heartworm Symptoms

A heavy heartworm infestation can lead to significant damage to the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. This can eventually lead to heart failure, lung disease, and even death.

Symptoms in dogs can range from a mild persistent cough, fatigue, and decreased appetite in the early stages to more severe signs like difficulty breathing, fainting spells, and a distended abdomen as the disease develops.

Cats with Heartworm

While often considered a disease exclusive to dogs, cats can get heartworm, too! However, cats are not the ideal host for heartworms. Typically, fewer worms develop, and they may not survive as long as in dogs, which makes diagnosis more challenging.

Sometimes, heartworms can cause severe, even fatal, respiratory distress in cats, known as Heartworm-Associated Respiratory Disease (HARD). Symptoms in cats can be subtle and mimic other respiratory illnesses, including coughing, wheezing, vomiting, lethargy, and sudden death. There is currently no approved treatment for heartworm in cats, which makes prevention all the more critical.

Heartworm Myths Debunked

Now that we’ve established cats are also susceptible, other common myths say:

• That indoor pets are not at risk. While the risk may be lower, mosquitoes can easily enter homes, which puts even strictly indoor pets at risk.
• That heartworm is only a problem in warmer climates. While prevalence is higher in warmer regions with longer mosquito seasons, heartworm has been reported in all 50 states.

During the spring months, as mosquito populations begin to surge, the risk of heartworm transmission significantly increases. Pet owners should be particularly vigilant during this time and ensure their pets are on year-round heartworm prevention medication. Consult your veterinarian for a prescription.

If you are concerned about your pet’s heart condition, the best thing you can do is visit us! At Coast to Coast Cardiology, we have ten distinct locations, but we deliver on one goal no matter what: treating the patient, not just the signs. To schedule an appointment, contact us online or call 844-582-3827 today.