The Heart of the Matter: Heartworm in Cats
A lot of time and education goes into discussing heartworm in dogs. As a result, most dog parents are aware of this parasitic disease and take steps to prevent it in our canine companions. But most cat parents aren’t aware that cats can get heartworm, too.
Because mosquito season is on its way, your friends at Clairmont Animal Hospital decided that it was high time to give you a peek into this disease in our feline friends.
Why Heartworm Prevention is Important
From treats to toys, many pet owners don’t think twice about showering a pet with love. After all, pets have our hearts. But what about protecting theirs through heartworm prevention?
Heartworm disease is one of the more deadly, but preventable illnesses we see in pets. Yet, many pets remain unprotected. This game of chance may not seem like such a big deal – until a pet is diagnosed with heartworm.
The Risk of Heartworm
Heartworm disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes acquire these microscopic parasites, called microfilariae, from other mammals such as coyotes, skunks, and foxes. Continue…