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Home > Cat Newsletters > Cat Newsletter 3
Cat
Newsletter 3
1.Heartworm disease
in cats = = = = =
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Although we normally associate heartworm disease with dogs, cats can and do get heartworms. Cases of heartworm disease in cats have been reported across the United States and many other countries. What is heartworm disease in cats? Heartworm disease in cats is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by the internal parasites - Dirofilaria immitis. The adult worms (of the species Dirofilaria immitis) have lodged themselves inside the right chambers of the cat's (or dog's) heart. Sometimes the heartworms will be in the large vein that feeds blood into the heart, or occasionally in other parts of the body. A dog can have tens, or even hundreds, of heartworms. Cats normally only have a few, but even one heartworm can be deadly to a cat. The mosquito vector becomes a carrier of the microscopic immature form of the parasite when it bites an infected animal (could be a dog or cat). This mosquito, when it finds the next victim, will inject a small amount of saliva into the bite wound, and this small volume of spit carries the parasite into the tiny wound. From here, they migrate into the body via the bloodstream, and set up shop in the heart preferentially. Once they are inside, they begin to mature and very soon, mature reproducing worms are in place. When only a small number of immature larvae are injected, it is possible that the reproductive cycle cannot go forward (when just a few male worms injected for example). This is called a sterile infestation because two sexes are not in the host. A big difference between dogs and cats is that one or two worms in a cat can be life-threatening, whereas in dogs, this level of worm burden will likely not cause such severe symptoms. Once the worms mature, they release microfilariae (next generation babies) into the bloodstream, and they mature and begin their own life cycle. The worms do not just live in the heart, but often enter the lungs; filariae can actually enter many tissues. In cats, most infestations are classed as low worm burden; meaning that very few adults are found in the system. Parasite Lifecycle The disease is so-called "vector-borne" since a mosquito bite is essential to transmit the disease. The only time of year a new infection can occur is when mosquitoes are out. The mosquito season varies according to geographic region, but in the province of Ontario for example, it can be from about April to November. Note that early thaws and late Indian Summers can really affect the season. Any region where dogs can get heartworm, cats can too! What are the signs? The heartworms can cause allergic reactions, inflammation, and fluid buildup in the lungs. Often, the most common symptoms in cats are coughing and vomiting. However, these warning signs usually do not appear until the disease is quite advanced. Unfortunately, the only sign may be sudden death of a cat that appeared normal and healthy just a couple of hours earlier. This severe reaction occurs when a worm dies. But sometimes, the worm or worms will die inside the cat and the cat will recover with no problems. It is impossible to tell in advance how a given cat will react to a heartworm infection. What Preventive Measures can be taken? Keeping a cat indoors goes a long way towards protecting the cat from the bites of mosquitoes. There have been cases of heartworm disease in indoor cats, so sometimes it seems, they (the skitters) sneak in through holes in screens, or when our doors are opened in the warm weather. Other times, the owners may take their cat out on the porch for some sunshine, and this provides the "skitter" a bite opportunity. Once a cat is diagnosed with heartworm disease, managing the disease can be difficult. Treatment, as well as non-treatment, is very risky, because there's currently no approved product for treating adult heartworms, and the onset of clinical signs is impossible to predict in cats that are left untreated. Even if the disease is treated, your cat may experience severe complications or even death when the worms die. Prevention is the best medicine. Ask your veterinarian about heartworm disease prevention for your cat. It will help give your feline friend the best chance for a long and healthy life. Note that the preventative medication is not a vaccine. It must be given regularly during the time of the year that your veterinarian indicates. Talk to your veterinarian about recommendations for heartworm disease prevention in your area. DISCLAIMER The information provided on this Cat Newsletter is for general information purposes only and should not replace the professional consultation, the diagnostic, or the medical advise of a veterinarian
All cats are members of the family Felidea. Interestingly enough, the cat family split from the other mammals at least 40,000,000 years ago, making them one of the oldest mammalian families. All cats share certain characteristics that are unique to the cat family. It seems that the first cats to live near people were the African wild cats of Egypt. The mice and rats that filled the Egyptian grain stores probably attracted these cats. Apparently, the ancient Egyptians were very appreciative of the cats' help in vermin control. In fact, they worshipped their cats and gave them a central place in their culture. The cats were considered gods and killing a cat was punishable by death. Small Egyptian amulets representing cats may date from as early as 2300 B.C.E. The oldest picture of a cat was found in the tomb of Baket III. It dates from 1950 B.C.E. and shows a cat confronting a rat. In Buddhist temples across Asia, cats are kept as mousers. These temple cats have a pointed pattern, and may be ancestors of the Siamese breed. Ailurophobia is the fear of cats. Julius Caesar, Henry II, Charles XI, and Napoleon all suffered from this and would nearly faint in the presence of a cat. A Spanish stamp commemorating Charles Lindbergh's record-breaking flight from New York to Paris showed his cat Patsy watching as his plane took off. Pasty often accompanied Lindbergh on his flights, but did not go on the 1930 flight that made him famous. In the midst of building the Grand Coulee Dam in the state of Washington, engineers were stymied by the problem of threading a cable through a pipeline until an anonymous cat saved the day. Harnessed to the cable, this unknown hero crawled through the pipeline maze to successfully finish the job. The first cat show took place in 1871 at the Crystal Palace in London. The first cat show in North America was held in New England in the 1870s for Maine Coon Cats. The first animated cat was Krazy Kat, a cartoon strip drawn by George Herriman that made the transition from paper to film in 1916.
Please, tell us what do you think about our Cat Newsletter, what information do you need and how can we help you. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Yours truly, Petar Petrov
– Editor |
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