1. Surprisingly, the risk of heartworm is about equal for both indoor and outdoor cats. Allergic reactions to heartworm treatments have been identified, so stay on the safe side and keep your pet up-to-date with their heartworm prevention. The parasite can live for five to seven years. A physical examination may also reveal … Heartworm disease in cats is very different from heartworm disease in dogs. The heartworm antibody test determines if the cat's immune system has been exposed to heartworms. Find out everything you need to know about heartworm in cats, including what kind of heartworm prevention for cats is best and how to know if your cat has heartworms. This problem is further compounded by the fact that many symptoms of heartworm in cats are also symptoms of other cat diseases. Several blood tests are used for heartworm diagnosis, but the heartworm antibody test and the heartworm antigen test are proving to be most helpful in diagnosing heartworm disease in cats. These symptoms are not particular to heartworm in cats and sometimes HARD can be misdiagnosed as cat asthma. Facts About Heartworm. Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Prevention At a glance. Heartworm disease is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitis that can occur in dogs and cats but is less common in cats.An infected mosquito that bites your cat can transmit Dirofilaria immitis.Below we will give you information about heartworm symptoms as well as information about the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heartworm disease. The importance of heartworm prevention for cats cannot be overstated, as heartworm disease in cats can lead to severe respiratory disease and even death. The symptoms of heartworm in cats vary depending on where the worms lodge in the cat’s body and how many of them are present. Cats with adult heartworms typically have just one to three worms, and many cats affected by … As a cat parent, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of common illnesses so you can seek veterinary help for your feline friend in a timely manner if necessary. In dogs, heart failure is a common outcome of heartworm infection. Feline heartworm removal surgery is performed in cases where the heartworms are clearly visible in an ultrasound. A cat may exhibit no symptoms right until they die from the parasite, while other cats may be able to spontaneously rid their bodies of the worm or worms. Symptoms of heartworm in cats and dogs don’t generally appear until the disease has advanced to the point where treatment becomes difficult. Humans have become infected, although this is rare and does not usually cause illness. Below are some common symptoms in cats associated with heartworm disease. Heartworm Symptoms - The Four Stages Of Heartworms In Dogs Heartworm symptoms in dogs are divided into four stages. When an infected mosquito bites a cat, it injects the heartworm larvae into the cat. Heartworm is a parasitic roundworm (Dirofilaria immitis). Signs and symptoms . How do cats get heartworm disease? While both cats and dogs are subject to heartworm, the illnesses and treatments are different for each. Cancer is the number-one disease-related killer of cats and dogs. About: Dirofilaria immitis are a parasitic worm which lives in the pulmonary arteries, lungs and heart of affected cats. An animal with heartworm will have the adult form living in pulmonary vessels if the disease progresses unchecked. There are no drugs approved for the treatment of heartworm in cats… If you don’t get your dog test, you won’t know your dog needs treatment. If your cat does contract heartworm disease, your veterinarian will determine the stage of the disease (severity) before suggesting a course of treatment. Assessment of Heartworm Disease in Cats . Cats suffering from advanced stages of feline heartworm disease can be given supportive care to help them feel more comfortable. Mosquitoes spread heartworms. At approximately eight months after the invasion, heartworm in dogs begin to produce a new crop of microfilariae that will live in the dog's blood for about one month. Weight loss and decreased energy are also common symptoms. There is no specific test for heartworm disease in cats. It primarily infects dogs, cats and ferrets, although it can also infect a wide variety of wildlife. Heartworm Symptoms - The Four Stages Of Heartworms In Dogs