How many of y'all use monthly heartworm preventatives for your cats? In your experience, have you seen many cases of heartworms in your, or any, cats? You hear about cases running rampant in dogs ... but never about cats, so I was curious. Thnx!
My vet thought my cat had heartworms at first(was heart disease) and was tested, but if he did he had to go on medicine like a dog, but she said it wasnt as serious as a dog. also indoor cats can get it(pengie was indoors) from a mosquito can get in your house when doors are opened.
My cats are on Advantage Multi-care, which covers heartworms (and other worms) and earmites and fleas. They make chewable tablets like for dogs but my fussy cats don't like them so we use the topical stuff.
You dont hear about heartworms in cats as much because it is a LOT harder to diagnois in cats than in dogs (they can be heartworm positive w/ only ONE heartworm in them -which is enough to cause problems- and it wont show up on a test!), and there is no safe treatment for cats. A lot of cats probably go undiagnoised or misdiagnoised. I think cats are less likely than dogs to get heartworms, but are still at risk so they should be on prevention. It doesnt matter if they are not in contact with any other animals nor if they are strictly inside. Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. It only takes that one mosquito to come in your house and bite your cat. I've had plenty bite me while i was inside. My cats are on monthly heartworm prevention ALL year long. more info: http://petcare.suite101.com/article.cfm/heartwormsandcats and if your vet wants you to get your cat tested regularly, its a waste of money in my opinion. a simple test will not do for cats. (accurate for dogs tho! you can actually see the microfilaria under the microscope) and did you know humans can get heartworms too? VERY rare, but possible! google it if you dont believe me.
