Heartworm
It can take up to 7- months for the heartworm larvae to mature in the cat. Once mature, the heartworm causes disease by clogging the heart and major blood vessels. Clogging of the vessels causes reduced blood supply to the major body organs; including the lungs, liver and kidney, resulting in organ failure. Whilst rare in cats in the Sydney area, with severe infection, cats may die suddenly following exercise or excitement.
Treatment of heartworm
Treatment of diagnosed heartworm is complex, expensive and risky. Treatment involves killing the mature heartworms. Killed worms also have the potential to clog vessels and cause death by embolism until treatment has finished (which can take months). Prevention against heartworm is therefore best!
Heartworm protection
There are many different products that offer heartworm protection. We recommend the following options:
Protects against heartworm when given monthly. Can be given from 6-weeks of age.
A multi-coverage, spot-on parasite preventative that protects against intestinal worms (roundworm and hookworm), fleas and heartworm. Can be given monthly from 9-weeks of age.
A multi-coverage, spot-on parasite preventative that protects against intestinal worms, fleas, ticks and heartworm. Can be given every 2-months from 9-weeks of age (weighing at least 1.2 kg).