Heartworm Disease in Dogs
Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes. The mosquito becomes infected while taking a blood meal from an infected animal. It then carries and transmits the infective heartworm larvae (immature worms) to another dog. The larvae migrate through the body and bloodstream and eventually develop into adult heartworms that live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels. The heartworms start to cause inflammation and other complications in these tissues. Mild disease may only cause a cough and/or some exercise intolerance. In advanced cases, however, the heart may enlarge and become weakened due to the presence of the worms. Unfortunately, death is a possible consequence of infection and can occur suddenly or from developing heart failure and/or lung disease.
The onset and severity of disease is a reflection of several factors. They include the number of adult worms present, the length of time the infection has been present, and the activity level of the dog. The number of worms infecting a dog can range from one to approximately 250 and their lifespan in the dog’s body is estimated to be at least five to seven years. In general, the more active a dog is, the more significant his or her symptoms. With this in mind, it can be expected that a very active patient with many worms that have been present for a long time would have more severe heartworm disease than a quiet dog with few worms and an infection which was detected very early.
It is important to note that all dogs in Michigan (regardless of age, breed, or environment) are susceptible to heartworm infection. We therefore recommend that all dogs receive monthly heartworm preventative with annual blood testing for heartworm disease.
Why test? We can only treat heartworm disease if we find it. Annual testing allows us to identify positive dogs as early as possible, which generally results in a better prognosis. Even if you feel your dog is at low risk because he or she already receives monthly heartworm preventative, testing is still important. Have you considered the consequences of a late or missed dose? Other factors may decrease the protective effects of the medication as well, such as poor absorption from vomiting or diarrhea, and so on. Please don’t take any chances.
Why use year-round heartworm preventative? In Michigan, our variable weather means that we occasionally have warm fall and winter days when mosquitoes are active. It can also take a while for any mosquitoes trapped in the house to die off, so threats can remain both indoors and out. Remember, it only takes one single bite from one single mosquito to transmit potentially fatal heartworms to your pet. Many heartworm preventatives also protect against common intestinal parasites which are a year-round problem. These can be acquired from exposure to droppings from other pets or wild animals, hunting/eating wild animals, by licking grass, dirt, or snow, or even by brief contact with contaminated areas. Some have the potential to be transmitted to humans and can have serious health consequences. Please protect yourselves and your pets with year-round use of preventive medication. The recommendation for year-round heartworm preventative is backed by the American Heartworm Society, an independent organization dedicated to leading the veterinary profession and the public in the understanding of heartworm disease. Their latest research continues to confirm that warm weather seasonal use of heartworm preventative is not sufficient.
Be aware that the treatment for heartworm disease in dogs is an arsenic-type drug called melarsomine, which can have serious or fatal side effects and is expensive. Prevention is a much better option. Heartworm preventatives are greater than 99% effective at preventing heartworm disease when used as directed. They are also safe, easy to use, and most products have the added benefit of protecting against some other types of parasites, too. We routinely stock Heartgard Plus, Interceptor, Revolution, and Simparica Trio and would be happy to discuss them with you. This fatal disease is preventable!
Heartworm Disease in Cats
Heartworm disease in cats is very different compared to heartworm disease in dogs and it is being increasingly recognized by the veterinary profession as a significant health threat. Infection can result in heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD) which can be serious or even fatal. Transmission occurs by the mosquito (the same way it is transmitted to the dog). The mosquito carries the larvae (immature heartworms) and injects them into the cat during its blood meal. The adult heartworms that develop then reside in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels. In cats, the worms can also migrate to other areas of the body and cause disease (this does not commonly occur in dogs).
On a more positive note, cats are relatively resistant to heartworm infection. The odds of heartworm larvae developing into adults is low in cats (less than 25% of worms transmitted reach maturity) compared to dogs (40-90% of worms transmitted reach maturity). The number of adult heartworms infecting cats is usually low (fewer than six) and their lifespan is also shorter (typically two to three years). Microfilariae (infective heartworm larvae) are less common in the cat. This means that they are a poor reservoir of infection because it is less likely that they will spread the infection to feeding mosquitoes who will then pass the infection on to other animals. Unlike dogs, some cats even appear able to rid themselves of the infection spontaneously due to a strong immune response to worms. While risk is highest for outdoor cats, a surprising number of indoor cats also become infected.
The clinical signs of heartworm infection in cats can be very non-specific and may mimic many other feline diseases. Most cats with heartworm disease are free of any specific signs, but others may exhibit coughing, intermittent vomiting, asthma-like signs, gagging, or weight loss. Occasionally, infected cats die suddenly without warning.
The diagnosis of heartworm disease in cats is complex and multi-factorial. It is made based on both clinical signs and various tests which may include blood work, radiographs (x-rays), and/or ultrasonography. This is in stark contrast to diagnosing heartworm disease in the dog which can be done with a simple blood test.
For cats that are infected with heartworms but are not demonstrating clinical signs, no treatment may be recommended. Instead, close monitoring may be advised to allow the cat time to fight the infection and potentially self-cure. For infected cats with signs of heartworm disease, supportive therapy using steroids and other medications can be provided. Other medical treatments have also been investigated, though as mentioned above, none are currently approved. In general, their success rates have been low and risk of complications has been high. It is hoped that as more research is undertaken, promising options for treatment will surface.
In the mean time, don't leave your cat's health to chance. Preventive medications like once-monthly Revolution Plus could save your cat’s life and protect against a variety of other parasites, too.