fun loving felines outside to enjoy a little quality time chasing lizards and birds. But many dangers lurk right outside the doors of their comfortable and safe confines with one of the most dangerous being that of heartworm infestation. Understanding the life cycle of the parasite (Diroflaria immitis) is required to gain an understanding of how to prevent and treat heartworms in felines. Infection begins when the infective larvae, carried by a mosquito, enters the cat’s skin at the site of the bite. The larvae burrow beneath the skin and undergo two molts, that eventually lead to the development of small, immature worms. The first molt happens 1 to 12 days after the cat is bitten by the mosquito. The worms remain in this stage for about 60 days and then molt again. After the second stage the worms are still considered to be immature. After the second molting the worms begin to make their way to a peripheral vein and are transported to the right ventricle of the pulmonary arteries. In cats, the larvae may become disoriented and migrate into body cavities or even into the central nervous system. It isn’t until the six month mark after gaining access to the cat’s body that the larvae finally is considered mature. Adult worms grow from four to twelve inches in length. The lifespan of an adult heartworm is from two to three years. Heartworm disease in cats Cat’s give their owners lots of love but in reality their hearts are quite small. The size of a cats heart makes heartworm disease a very dangerous proposition indeed due to the fact that it only takes one or two worms to cause serious heart trouble, or even sudden death. The signs of heartworm infestation in its early stages are a cough made worse by physical activity, lethargy, loss of weight, noticeable changes in coat condition, and bloody sputum. At this point it may appear that the cat has a bronchial condition such as asthma or allergic bronchitis. A cats pulmonary artery response to heartworm disease is many times more severe than that seen in dog’s! Cat’s who pass through this phase of infection may be relatively fine until the adult heartworm starts to die two or three years later. Labored breathing and a mild, low grade, chronic respiratory signs may go on for a while. Congestive heart failure, along with heart murmurs, loss of appetite, loss of appetite, and sporadic vomiting are signs of this condition in its latter stages. Worms may be discovered at the autopsy following a sudden, unexplained death. Confirming the presence of heartworms in cats Blood tests are done to confirm the presence of heartworm antigens. Blood tests are also performed to confirm the presence of antibodies produced by the cats own immune system in a desperate attempt to fight off the invading heartworms. X-rays of the chest and echocardiography are other options helpful in diagnosing heartworms in cats. Conventional treatment options Pharmaceuticals such as ivermectin can be potentially dangerous and many veterinarians are reluctant to use them if the cat is reasonably good health opting instead to monitor the condition closely while it runs its course. Surgery to physically remove the worms is rare, but may be used as a last resort.
to treat parasites in pets. These natural remedies are safe and gentle for your pet and encourage overall health and wellbeing. Herbal ingredients such as Artemisia absinthinium (Wormwood), Eugenia caryophyllata (Cloves), Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Ruta graveolens (Herb of Grace) promote digestive health and balance, cleanse the blood and support the immune system. Herbal and Homeopathic Treatment for Heartworms in Cats
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