PATHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -because there is no approved treatment medication for HWI in cats, the only way to keep cats heartworm-free is to administer year-round prevention.

Detailed explanation-2: -Treating heartworm infections in cats is risky at best, and not treating these cats is just as risky. It will take about two years for the parasitic infection to be eliminated in the cat, and serious clinical signs can suddenly appear at any time during this period.

Detailed explanation-3: -Cats acquire heartworm far less than dogs in the same geographic location, with only 5-20% affected. Only around 25% of heartworms reach adulthood in cats. Cats also typically have a low worm burden (usually one to four worms), and less than 20% of those worms will produce microfilaria, the infective form of heartworm.

Detailed explanation-4: -Diagnosing feline heartworm disease will typically involve a complete blood count and blood chemistry profile, chest X-rays, a test to determine whether the patient’s blood contains antibodies to the parasite and a test to see whether adult heartworm proteins are present in the blood.