Cats

Q: My vet suggests I treat my cat, Sasha, with a heartworm preventative. Sasha is an indoor-only cat.

I've never heard of this before. The vet explained that dogs were traditionally treated and now he's adding cats.

Why?

-- S.C., Orlando, FL

A: "If there are dogs who get heartworm where you live -- and in Florida heartworm in dogs certainly occurs -- then there is bound to be heartworm in cats," says Dr. Sheldon Rubin, president of the American Heartworm Society.

Often, heartworms don't survive long in cats since cats are not meant to be hosts. However, if they do survive for any length of time, symptoms may include coughing and shortness of breath (heartworm-associated respiratory disease). Sometimes the only symptom is sudden death.

In cats, heartworm disease isn't always detectable with current testing methods, and is never treatable.

"That's why prevention is so important, potentially saving your cat's life," Rubin notes.

"Sure, if a cat lives on the 42nd floor of a high-rise and really never does go outdoors, you might as well play the lottery for the odds of that cat getting heartworm because a mosquito isn't likely to get inside," says Rubin.

"But in a house, mosquitoes (which transmit heartworm) get in all the time. And what about cats who go outside on balconies, porches or gardens? Of course, they're very susceptible, particularly where mosquitoes are most abundant."

Depending on your cat's lifestyle and where you live, some vets may not suggest a heartworm preventative for cats.

However, in Florida - where heartworm disease is common, your veterinarian is most certainly following the recommendation of the American Heartworm Society. Check it out yourself at www.heartwormsociety.org.

Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column. Write to Steve at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207. Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is www.stevedalepetworld.com; he can be heard Sundays on WGN Radio, 8 to 10 p.m. CST (www.wgnradio.com to listen live), and hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend

(c) 2009 DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

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