Heartworm Disease is a parasitic illness considered primarily a concern for dog owners. However over the last century more and more cases of the disease in domesticated cats have been recorded. Often mistaken for feline asthma or bronchitis the cat heartworm disease is often fatal. Although figures for the incidence of heartworms in cats are widely disputed. Widely estimated figures put the disease in numbers ranging from 10 to 40% of infection rates for dogs. So, though your dog is more likely to suffer from the problem, your cat is very definitely at risk too.

Preventing cat heartworm is simple. Cats are given a monthly heartworm pill or topical treatment. These medicines destroy any larval worms passed to your pet via a mosquito bite during the previous month. As long as your cat is given heartworm medicine regularly there is no chance of adult heartworms developing and it is these which are the cause of illness.

Cat heartworm is simple to prevent but very difficult to treat once established. With no drugs licensed to treat cats who do become ill there is very little your vet can do if your cat is exposed to cat heartworm disease. A monthly preventative ensures you have no worries about the health of your feline housemates in the future.