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Do Cats Get Heartworms?

Yeeeeees!

Do cats get heartworms? Yes, cats can get heartworms. Even if they don't carry multiple adult worms, even if they don't have ONE adult worm, the immature stages still cause damage. They can scar the vessels to the heart and lungs cause a multitude of problems!

Do I have to worry about heartworms in my state? In short, yes. As long as the weather is warm enough for mosquitoes, there is a risk of infection. After the hurricane Katrina animal rescue effort, the country was essentially seeded with heartworms. It is a great concern. Ask your veterinarian what their recommendation is as far as when to treat and what to treat with.

Why test my cat when there is no treatment except to start heartworm prevention? There are many good reasons. The most important reason is that knowledge of a situation is always better. This test and it's results could help your other animals as well. DOes your dog have heartworms as well? This will allow us to have the most information to be able to treat your kitty. We will have a possible reason for breathing/heart issues. We will have a reason for other indicators on your cat's bloodwork, such as elevated WBC that indicate parasitic action.

Links for more great information:

Auburn University

American Heartworm Society

Purdue University

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