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The Deadly Truth: Heartworm Disease in Cats

Heartworm in cats can be deadly BUT it can be prevented.

5 Facts Every Pet Owner Should Know About Heartworm Disease

The five basic facts every pet owner needs to know about heartworm disease.

Updated COVID-19 Recommendations (October 2020)

Updated guidance on returning to normal protocols for heartworm prevention, testing, and treatment as COVID-19 mitigation measures were relaxed.

COVID-19 AHS Recommendation (April 2020)

Guidance on handling deviations from heartworm prevention, testing, and treatment necessitated by practice changes during the initial weeks and months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Heartworm Preventive Waiver

Client declining recommended heartworm prevention or testing? This hold-harmless waiver may help change their mind.

Bringing the 17th Triennial Heartworm Symposium to You

This Q&A provides highlights from 2022 AHS Triennial Heartworm Symposium speakers and moderators on leading issues presented and discussed at the conference.

Triennial Symposium Proceedings

Since the establishment of the American Heartworm Society in 1974, a symposium has been held every three years for the purpose of presenting the latest research on heartworm disease, diagnosis, and prevention. Presenters at each symposium come from all over the world.

Triennial Symposium

Was that a MOSQUITO?

In this video reel, a cat runs in fear from a mosquito that might be carrying heartworms

Just checking in!

In this video reel, a cat checks in on his owner about giving heartworm prevention

There's no running--or skating--away from heartworms!

In this video reel, a skateboard dog explains that he can't run fast enough to hide from heartworms

I'm fresh, clean and heartworm-free!

In this video reel, a bathing cat feels fresh and clean, thanks to heartworm prevention

Life's a breeeeeeze with heartworm prevention!

In this video reel, a fluffy dog equates heartworm prevention with a carefree life

High five for heartworm protection!

In this video reel, a dog shares a "high five" with her owner for protecting her from heartworm infection

Heartworm protection is better than a belly rub.

In this video reel, a happy dog shows love for the owner who protects him from heartworm infection

Heartworm protection makes me happy (cats)

In this video reel, a content cat show love for the owner who protects him from heartworm infection

Could heartworm be stopped at the level of the mosquito?

In this video, University of Pennsylvania researcher Dr. Michael Povelones discusses research to better understand heartworm transmission, as well as new, previously unexplored ways to prevent it.

Understanding the prevalence of heartworm in cats

The true prevalence of heartworms in cats has been a question in the minds of many veterinarians. In this video, veterinary parasitologist and Zoetis scientist Dr. Jessica Rodriguez discusses the findings of a recent study that compared the results of heartworm testing in dogs and cats from a heartworm-endemic area of the U.S. and explains what it revealed about different types of heartworm tests and which tests give the most accurate picture of heartworm prevalence.

When and why should cats be screen for heartworms?

n the U.S., veterinarians tend to reserve heartworm testing in cats for those that show overt clinical signs of adult heartworm infections. In this video, veterinary parasitologist and Zoetis scientist Dr. Jessica Rodriguez explains what a recent study done in conjunction with University of Florida and University of Oklahoma researchers revealed about the need to screen cats for heartworm and the need to protect them from this common parasite.

Understanding the risk of heartworm in cats

Heartworm disease in cats is very different from hearhtworm in dogs, as Dr. Tom Nelson explains.

Diagnosis of heartworms in cats

Diagnosing heartworms in cats is quite different from diagnosis in dogs. In this video, veterinary practitioner and past AHS president Dr. Tom Nelson explains the diagnostic process and discusses which tests are appropriate for feline patients.

Treatment options for heartworm-positive cats

While cats are susceptible to heartworms, unfortunately there are no approved treatments for cats with adult worms. However, as veterinary practitioner and past AHS president Dr. Tom Nelson explains, that doesn't mean veterinarians have no options for managing these patients.

Understanding barriers to heartworm research today

In this video, Emeritus Professor and researcher Dr. Tim Geary of the Institute of Parastitology at McGill University explains the barriers to heartworm research and how it differs from research on other parasites in other species.

Understanding heartworm-host interactions

In this video, Emeritus Professor and researcher Dr. Tim Geary of the Institute of Parastitology at McGill University explains how a better understanding of heartworms and how they interact with their hosts and their environment might help researchers in the future as they develop new strategies for heartworm prevention.

Heat treatment of serum samples in heartworm testing

Parasitologist Dr. Byron Blagburn explains what veterinarians need to know about heat treatment of serum samples in heartworm testing.