Although heartworm disease in dogs has been well known for decades, recent advances in research have helped to better understand this serious disease in cats. Here are some things you should know about it:

        Heartworms are carried by mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites your cat the heartworms enter the blood stream and travel to the heart and lungs where they cause significant damage.

        Although many cats show no symptoms at all, heartworm disease can cause a  great number of symptoms that can be confused with other diseases. These include vomiting, coughing, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, loss of weight, skin disorders, asthma, convulsions and even sudden death. Importantly, studies  indicate that indoor as well as outdoor cats are at risk of getting heartworm disease.  In fact, a recent study found that 55% of cats that tested positive for heartworms lived strictly or mostly indoors.
 

        If a cat is diagnosed with heartworms the treatment can be dangerous and even fatal.   The best course of action isPrevention.  Recent approval by the FDA of a heartworm preventative for cats now gives you the ability to protect your cats from this disease!!!!!