All Heartworms are Not the Same

Posted by Darlene Cheek Aug 21, 2007

It was previously believed that heartworms had to reach maturity in order to damage the feline heart, but the latest research results from Auburn University, released in a press release on August 6, 2007, shows that heartworm affects cats differently from the way that it affects dogs. Heartworms do not have to reach maturity in order to seriously damage your cat’s heart.

In light of this new research, scientists can now focus their attention towards the immature heartworms and prevention and hopefully find answers much faster. Researchers say that it is especially important to learn more about prevention since diagnosis and treatment are difficult.

Though Feline Heartworm and Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease (H.A.R.D.) haven’t received as much attention as Feline AIDS and Feline Leukemia, Dr. Tom Nelson, formerly of the American Heartworm Society, reported that the case study numbers for heartworm were actually higher than in these two fatal diseases!

As researchers begin digging deeper into heartworm prevention, we should be able to see a decline in feline respiratory disease. We can all do our part as well by helping to spread awareness of Feline Heartworm. Tell everyone you know who owns a cat to visit the KNOW Heartworms website! And remember that even indoor cats are susceptible to Feline Heartworm!

Source: Press Release - KNOW Heartworms.org