May/June 2008

    Before You're Heartbroken - Get the Facts about Canine Heartworm Disease

    Canine Heartworm Disease (CHD) affects dogs in many areas of the country including here in the Delaware Valley. Despite the incidence of CHD significantly diminishing in the past two decades due to increased awareness, routine testing and effective prevention, the recent influx of heartworm-infected Hurricane Katrina rescue dogs has raised concerns for a rebound of the disease locally. 

    Heartworm disease is transmitted among dogs and cats by the mosquito. After feeding on an infected dog or cat, the mosquito transmits the microscopic larvae to subsequent hosts. Over a period of several months, the larvae will migrate to the heart and lungs of the dog or cat and develop into adult heartworms—up to 4” to 12” in length.

    Clinical signs of CHD occur when the adult heartworms have already infected the heart and lungs. The symptoms, as CHD progresses in the pet, include the development of a progressive cough, exercise intolerance, and possibly liver and kidney trouble. Unfortunately, by the time the dog shows clinical signs of CHD, the damage to the heart may be too advanced for treatment. (Treatment itself is expensive and, sometimes, very risky since dying heartworms can form emboli that may lodge in the lungs, brain, or other organs in the dog.)

    The best way to protect your dog is to prevent CHD from occurring and have your pet screened for the disease every year. Screening can reveal the presence of CHD in the dog even if no clinical signs are present and treatment can be initiated. To prevent CHD altogether, several safe and effective products have been developed including chewable tablets and topical products. These products are administered once monthly (at home) year round. In addition to preventing CHD, many of these products also treat other kinds of common intestinal parasites.

    If your pet is not on heartworm prevention, please call or contact DAMC and make an appointment for screening and to purchase heartworm prevention medication.

    Heartworm Disease in Cats?
    Yes, It’s True.

    Researchers and veterinarians at Auburn University recently discovered that symptoms such as intermittent coughing, gagging, and increased respiratory effort in cats may be caused by the presence of heartworms. This study also found a greater incidence of heartworm disease in cats than previously documented.

    Other information uncovered in this study:

    • Strikingly, the study revealed the incidence of mosquito-borne heartworm disease
          in indoor cats is much higher than previously suspected.
    • Heartworm is a misnomer since the worms are more frequently found in the
          lungs, not the heart.
    • The larvae (immature heartworms) at all stages of their development can    causeserious health problems, especially in cats.
    • Diagnosis is difficult. Even with the most advanced tests available, negative blood
          results are not always conclusive.

     

    How Do Cats Get Heartworm?

    Cats get heartworm disease the same way dogs do—from mosquitoes that carry the parasite. The infected mosquito transmits the parasite while feeding on the cat. And from there, the larvae migrate to the cat’s lungs.

    What can you do?
    Simple: Prevention. In light of this recent study, we recommend that cat owners consider the effects of feline heartworm disease and use monthly prevention to stop the disease from occurring. DAMC offers heartworm prevention products for cats in easy-to-use topical gels and tasty prescription treats.

    Call or contact us today if your cat has any of the following symptoms:

    • Coughing
    • Vomiting
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Lethargy
    • Anorexia
    • Recent weight loss

     

    Any of these signs could indicate the presence of heartworms or other illnesses that veterinary intervention could help.

    Open Your Heart and Your Home to A Rescue Cat

    Patty Bolich, Rescue Coordinator

    Looking for a great companion? Consider adopting a homeless pet from DAMC!

    How We Rescue

    Unwanted Cats and Kittens—we take friendly cats and kittens that clients can no longer care for on their own.  And while we would like to take all the cats in need, our kennel space is limited and only three cages can be used for rescue purposes at a time.

    Kittens: We take litters of kittens that have lost their mother and have been weaned off bottle feedings.

    Adult Cats: We take adult cats who have friendly dispositions and that are well socialized to people. Frequently, these cats come to us in the event of an owner’s death, a change in living situation (i.e. move to a residence that does not accept pets), medical problems in the cat that are treatable (but not behavioral in nature) but present a financial burden to the owner.

    How You Can Rescue

     

    If you are interested in adopting a DAMC rescue cat:

    Spend time with the cat. Get to know the cat and his/her disposition in our office. You can spend as much time as you like visiting–and we welcome all family members who will be a part of the pet’s life.

    Fill out an adoption form. Forms are available at the front desk. You will be briefly interviewed to see if your goals as a pet owner are compatible with the needs of the pet.

    Pick up your new pet. When your adoption application is approved (typically in 24 hours, except on weekends when rescue cats are not discharged), your new pet will be given a thorough medical exam before discharge. You will be given a vaccination record and a spay/neuter certificate.

    If, within the first 30 days after adoption, your new cat becomes ill, DAMC will provide veterinary care free of charge.

    Donations

    In most cases, new adopters donate $50 for our rescue fund. We greatly appreciate the support but donations are not a requirement for adoption.