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Heartworms affect cats differently than dogs, yet the disease they cause is equally serious. |
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Even immature heartworms can significantly damage feline lungs, causing severe respiratory disease – now known as heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD) – that’s often misdiagnosed as feline asthma or allergic bronchitis.
Just a single adult heartworm can be fatal to a cat. |
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Immature heartworms cause more of the clinical signs seen in cats. |
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Some cats–as many as 28%–may never show clinical signs.³ |
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All cats are at risk, even indoor cats. |
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While indoor cats are at lower risk for heartworms and intestinal parasites than outdoor cats, an indoor lifestyle alone does not protect a cat. |
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It’s time to change the prevailing presumption about cats and internal parasites. |
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An interim report on the national prevalence of intestinal parasites in shelter dogs and cats found: |
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Based on this report Toxocara cati is the second most prevalent parasite in the U.S. |
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Treating cats with a parasite control product, starting at an early age, is important for preventing clinical disease, environmental contamination and possible zoonotic transmission. |
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Dogs and cats should be tested for heartworm prior to use. In a small percentage of treated dogs, digestive and neurologic side effects may occur. In cats, safety studies at up to ten times the label dose did not detect any adverse drug reactions. To see the full product insert, click here. |
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1. Dillon AR. Heartworm infection in cats: Redefining the disease. Vet Forum 2008; 25(suppl):5-8.
2. IDEXX Laboratories. Heartworm infection in cats: New information! Available at http://www.idexxlearningcenter.com. Accessed May 19, 2009.
3. Atkins CE, De Francesco TD, Miller MW, et al. Prevalence of heartworm infection in cats with signs of cardiorespiratory abnormalities. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1997; 212:157-5204.
4. NAVC Conference 2009. National Parasite Prevalence Survey: An Interim Report. Byron L. Blagburg, BS, MS, PhD, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL.
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