KNOW Heartworms

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), the American Heartworm Society (AHS) and Pfizer Animal Health have combined efforts to study heartworm disease in cats.  We use to think cats rarely got heartworm disease but this study indicates it is much more prevalent than previously thought.  As a result of this study, these groups have initiated a KNOW Heartworms campaign to raise public awareness of the prevalence of this disease in cats.  The campaign is presented by outlining 5 misunderstandings about heartworm disease in cats. They are:

1. Heartworm disease is not just a canine disease.  It affects cats differently but the disease is equally serious.
   
2. It is not just outdoor cats that are affected.  Because mosquitoes can get indoors, both indoor and outdoor cats were proven to be equally at risk for heartworm disease and should be on heartworm prevention.
   
3. The term "Heartworm Disease" is a bit misleading as the disease in cats mostly affects the lungs and not just the heart.
   
4. Heartworm larvae are the main cause of problems in cats versus the adult heartworms.
   
5. Diagnosis is not easy.  Signs are often mistaken for feline asthma, allergic bronchitis, or other respiratory diseases.  Often it takes a combination of diagnostic testing such as antigen/antibody tests, echocardiography, and radiology to properly determine if your cat has heartworm disease.

Due to the seriousness of this disease, the focus of this campaign is on prevention.  Studies indicate that while 59% of dog owners administer heartworm prevention, it is less than 5% with cat owners.  We strongly recommend that all cats be on a heartworm preventive.  These once a month preventives have the additional benefits of protecting cats against fleas, ticks, and some intestinal parasites. 

Please feel free to contact us for questions or recommendations for your cat.  Further information on this awareness campaign can be found at http://www.heartwormsociety.org/ and http://www.knowheartworms.org/.