While pet cats and dogs can be protected against heartworm disease using preventatives and physical measures to protect your pet against being bitten by mosquitoes, treatment options have only been successful in dogs. Thus, the best way to protect your cat from the problem is a good heartworm preventive program. Advanced cases of heartworm infection can possibly lead to serious complications. Some cases may need surgery to remove heartworms in the heart and major blood vessels between the heart and lungs.

Heartworm preventatives should be given under the supervision of a veterinarian. These drugs are actually safe and effective when administered following the dosage instructions of your veterinarian. Heartworm medications are available as chewable, injections, pills, or topical preparations. Before any type of heartworm preventative is given to a dog, the animal should be tested first to assess the heartworm status. However, cats can be started on preventatives without pre-testing.  Consult your North Phoenix, AZ veterinarian about heartworm treatment options for your pet.