The DO’s and DON’T’s of Feline Heartworm Protection

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The DO’s and DON’T’s of Feline Heartworm Protection
Posted on September 20, 2023 in News, Caring for your pet

Prevention is the only way to keep cats heartworm-free..

The DO’s and DON’T’s of Feline Heartworm Protection do

DO give your cat his or her heartworm preventive on time, every time. Whether you prefer giving your kitty a monthly pill or administering a spot-on medication, being consistent is essential. Remember: no heartworm treatment is approved for use in cats (the medication approved for heartworm treatment in dogs is not safe for cats), so prevention is the ONLY option.

DO give heartworm preventives to all the cats in your household. The average number of cats in a U.S. household is 2.1, so you may need to double up when purchasing heartworm preventives. If you bring a kitten into your house, he or she should be on a heartworm preventive by 8 weeks of age (follow the product label).

DO make sure the product you rely on actually is a heartworm preventive. With so many parasite protection products on the market, it’s easy to get confused. Far too many people assume their flea and tick product is protecting their cat from heartworms when it isn’t.

 

The DO’s and DON’T’s of Feline Heartworm Protection dont

DON’T rely on “seasonal” heartworm prevention. Just because you haven’t seen a mosquito lately doesn’t mean you should stop protecting your cat. Heartworm preventives work retroactively, eliminating new infections that were transmitted months earlier. Rather than guessing at when it might be “safe,” keep your kitty on prevention year-round.

DON’T skip heartworm prevention just because you have an “indoor” kitty. Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes, but outdoor cats aren’t the only cats at risk. Mosquitoes are sneaky and know how to come inside! In fact, 1 in 4 cases of heartworm infection in cats occurs in indoor kitties.

DON’T forget that many heartworm pills and spot-on products protect against other parasites. All heartworm preventives for cats prevent at least some intestinal worms, while others also protect against fleas, mites and additional worms. Talk to your veterinarian about what product offers the protection YOUR cat needs.

 

Revolution® (selamectin) – Revolution is the first-ever FDA-approved, topically applied heartworm and intestinal parasite control medication for cats that:

  • Kills adult fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and prevents flea eggs from hatching.
  • Prevents heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis.
  • Treats and controls ear mites (Otodectes cynotis).
  • Treats and controls roundworms (Toxocara cati) and hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme).

Revolution enters the bloodstream through the skin via topical application. Concentrations of Revolution in the blood and tissues prevent heartworm disease and prevent and treat roundworm and hookworm infections. Revolution selectively redistributes from the blood to the skin and other tissues, where it provides protection against fleas, flea eggs, and ear mites.

 

Article courtesy of American Heartworm Society
          
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