Heartworm disease in cats and dogs is a potentially fatal condition caused by an infestation of heartworms. These worms are transmitted via infected mosquitoes, and live in the heart, lungs and pulmonary arteries of animals. Currently, there are no FDA approved heartworm treatments available in the United States for cats, but this condition can be successfully treated in dogs.
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Symptoms
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Early stages of heartworm disease don't always produce symptoms. But as the condition progresses, it can cause fatigue, coughing, weight loss, poor appetite, gagging and rapid breathing. Severe heartworm disease can also result in fluid in the stomach and swelling of the heart and liver.
Diagnosis
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A veterinarian can detect heartworms in dogs and cats by doing blood tests. However, blood tests can show inconsistent results unless animals have been infected with heartworms for at least seven months.
Treatment
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Dogs are treated for heartworms with a series of injections and plenty of rest. Sometimes antibiotics are needed to manage infections. It can take one to two months for a dog to completely recover from heartworm disease.
Cats can sometimes recover from heartworm disease on their own. But when a cat's body tries to rid itself of dead heartworms, it can lead to a life-threatening shock reaction.
Effectiveness
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Severe heartworm disease in dogs can cause irreversible damage to the heart. So even if treatments are effective, canines may need lifelong care for heart damage.
Prevention
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Heartworms in dogs and cats can be prevented with once-a-month chewable tablets or monthly topical medications. There is also a bi-yearly shot available for heartworms in dogs.
Considerations
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Even after being treated for heartworms, dogs can be re-infected if they are not put on heartworm prevention medication.
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