Site Accessibility Features: Skip to page menus
Site Menus Section Skip to page content
Site Accessibility Features: Skip to page menus
Site Menus Section Skip to page content
Heartworm disease is transmitted to cats when mosquitoes, infected with the parasite named Dirofilaria immitis, take a blood meal from your pet. Because cats are not the natural host for heartworm infection, the symptoms related to infection are different than in the dog. Heartworm infection in cats can be a silent killer causing a range of vague symptoms that seem to have no correlation to the infection itself. Cats with heartworm disease may develop a cough (similar to a cat with asthma) and have intermittent lethargy and vomiting; they may die suddenly. Diagnosis of heartworm infection in cats can be challenging due to the small number of worms that mature in the cat. Although the worm burden tends to be small, the inflammation created by the infection can be tremendous. Specialized blood tests and heart ultrasounds aid in the diagnosis. There is no safe treatment to eliminate heartworm infection in cats. Infected cats receive symptomatic therapy to control the inflammation incited by the worms. Severely infected cats may require surgical removal of the heartworms. The best treatment for heartworm disease in cats is prevention. All cats, not just outdoor cats, should receive year-round monthly heartworm prophylaxis to prevent life threatening heartworm infection.
Site Sidebar: Skip to end of sidebar
Browse By Species
159 Exeter Road Lebanon, CT, 06249-1323
Phone: (860) 642-3450 Fax: (860) 642-3426
Get DirectionsMon, Fri: 8:30 am – 3:00 pm Tue, Wed, Thur: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Sat: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm Sun: closed
Manage your pet’s wellness easily and effectively from the palm of your hand.
GooglePlay AppStore© 2025 Meadow Hill Veterinary Shoppe. Provided by ePet Websites | Powered by LifeLearn WebDVM