Feline heartworm disease is caused by Dirofilaria immitis, transmitted by mosquitoes. Cats are not the natural host: infections are low in number, adult worms are short-lived and much of the harm comes from the lungs. A cat can be seriously sick or die suddenly, and no drug is available that safely kills the adult worms, so prevention is the real protection.
Key facts
Heartworm at a glance- Species and system: cat; respiratory and cardiovascular (mainly pulmonary arteries and lungs).
- Cause: Dirofilaria immitis, spread by infected mosquitoes. Indoor cats can be infected.
- Typical burden: often only 1 to 3 worms; microfilariae are usually absent.
- Key syndrome: heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD), which often looks like feline asthma.
- Treatment: no adulticide; supportive care and prevention.
- Zoonotic: infected mosquitoes can transmit to people, but larvae die in the lungs and do not become patent (MSD).
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 1 figure, 3 self-test questions and 6 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
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