Heartworm & Roundworm Defense for Cats

Heartworm

• Heartworm in cats can be a serious health concern and may even cause sudden death if left untreated. Both indoor and outdoor cats should be given preventative medications to defend against heartworm, which is transmitted to cats by mosquitoes. After biting a cat, mosquitoes transfer larvae into the cat's bloodstream, which then mature and travel to the heart. Symptoms of heartworm include lethargy, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, weight loss and coughing. Your veterinarian must test your cat for heartworm before recommending any preventative medications.

Roundworm

• Roundworms are a common parasite that affect the digestive tract of cats, dogs and many wild animals. Cats become infected after ingesting contaminated soil, water, insects, animals or the feces of an infected animal containing roundworm eggs and/or larvae. Infected mothers can also pass the parasite to their nursing kittens.

Topical Preventatives

• Topical preventatives that can treat roundworm and heartworm include Revolution and Advantage Multi for Cats. Topicals can be applied once a month to the back of your cat's neck, providing waterproof protection from a number of parasites. Always check with your veterinarian before starting any new medications and closely follow instructions before applying. Side effects of topicals include hair loss or irritation at the site of application. Serious reactions to topicals should be reported to your vet, including diarrhea, vomiting, trouble breathing and excessive drooling.

Oral Preventatives

• Heartgard and Interceptor are two examples of monthly preventatives against heartworm. Interceptor can also be used to treat roundworms. Oral tablets are usually flavored and chewable, which can make administering the medication easier than other oral pills.

Other Ways to Prevent Worms

• Maintaining a clean indoor and outdoor environment for your cat will help prevent roundworm infections. This includes removing contaminated soil, feces or dead animals (such as rodents or birds) that can cause worms in your cat. Households with multiple cats should keep separate litter boxes for infected cats and also isolate sick animals from healthy pets and people. With heartworm, preventatives are the best option for defending pets against infection.

Warning

• With any parasite preventative, always check that the medication is specifically for cats and not dogs. Some ingredients in dog medications can be harmful and even deadly to cats.

  These medications prevent parasites but may not treat adult worms. Always consult your veterinarian before starting any new medications.