The American Heartworm Society and American Association of Feline Practitioners have partnered to educate pet owners and veterinary professionals about the need to protect cats from heartworm disease. One misconception that they would like to correct is that indoor cats aren’t at risk for heartworm disease. In fact, one retrospective study found that 25 percent of the cats diagnosed with the disease were indoor cats. The reason: mosquitoes, which transmit the disease, can get indoors.
Among other myths the campaign debunks at http://know heartworms.org/ is that it’s a heart disease. It chiefly affects blood vessels of the lungs, and signs can be mistaken for respiratory diseases.
The recommendation: Ask your cat’s veterinarian about a preventive. For more information, visit the Cornell Feline Health Center website at www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/ and click on Health Topics.
