Cats at risk of heartworm disease

[QueenScoopalot]

http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/mo...g/13163337.htm
Cats at risk of heartworm disease

By DR. MARTY BECKER

When we think of heartworm disease we tend to automatically default to dogs, which is the normal host of the parasite, Dirofilaria immitis, which causes the disease.

But researchers and veterinarians are finding that domestic cats are at increasing risk as well, with infection rates varying by region, but up to 5 percent to 20 percent those of dogs.

The clinical manifestations of the disease (heart, lung, gastrointestinal problems) are much more severe in cats (atypical host) than dogs. Similar to dogs, the male cat is at higher risk of contracting heartworm infection that the female and it's interesting to note that in one study at North Carolina State University, one-third of the cats diagnosed with heartworm disease were housed solely indoors. (This is pretty scary!!!

In the past, feline heartworm infection has been very hard to detect, but a new Feline Heartworm Antigen Test by IDEXX Laboratories has given veterinarians a more accurate tool for diagnosis.

Treatment for the disease is very risky so the best approach to feline heartworm disease is prevention.

Luckily, there are several products available from your veterinarian that can prevent this disease. One such product is Revolution from Pfizer Animal Health. A topical product that is applied monthly to the skin at the base of cat's neck, Revolution not only takes care of heartworms, it also gets rid of fleas, ear mites, hookworms and roundworms.

To learn more about the prevalence, prevention, diagnosis and management of heartworm disease in cats visit your local veterinarian or the American Heartworm Society Web site at www.heartwormsociety.org.

[Laura's Babies]

Wow! Something else to have to worry about.