Lecture 2 Flashcards
Why don’t you see microfilaria in cats?
Their immune system gets rid of them. Therefore they are not a reservoir of infection
What are the main differences about HW in cats versus dogs?
They get rid of microfilaria so not many mature to adults
Cats will only have 1-3 adult HW
Aberrant migration is more common
Adult worms are smaller and live shorter lives
What is stage one of feline heartworms
Inflammation- worms arrive in pulmonary arteries and form asthma like signs
What is stage 2 of feline HW disease
Mature worms die and degenerate- results in more pulmonary inflammation, thromboembolism, fatal acute lung injury, anaphylaxis
What is HARD
Heartworm associated respiratory disease
Disease persists even after elimination of parasites
What type of disease is feline HW
Lung disease, NOT heart disease
Will you see caval syndrome in cats?
Not commonly
Why isn’t antigen testing in cats useful
They rarely test positive due to lack of mature female (they have such a few amount of worms)
Antidbody test in cats
Good rule out test.. but can easily be positive if cat has been exposed in any way
What is the most common radiographic abnormality seen in HW positive cats?
Bronchia patter aka “asthma lungs”
Do I need to know if the cat has asthma or HW
Would be nice… but if you can’t figure it out due to shitty diagnostic testing it’s okay because the treatment is the same
Emergency therapy for HW positive cat
Oxygen
Bronchodilators
Steroids
Supportive care/fluid therapy
Chronic therapy for HW positive cats
Steroids
Oral bronchodilators
Ivermectin monthly
Can you kill adults in cats?
No, adulticide is toxic at low doses
What are the options for feline HW prevention
Topical:
Moxidectin- advantage multi
Selamectin- revolution
Oral:
Ivermectin- heartguard
Milbemycin- interceptor, sentinel
