How are heartworms transmitted to a cat?
Heartworms are transmitted through mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites a cat, it deposits baby heartworms (larvae). The larvae migrate and mature for several months, ending up in the right side of the heart and the pulmonary arteries. They mature into adult heartworms about six months from the time they enter the cat. Shortly thereafter, they begin to release immature heartworms, known as microfilaria. Microfilaria live in the cat’s blood for about one month. They are ingested by mosquitoes feeding on the cat. (However, most mosquitoes acquire microfilaria by feeding on heartworm-infected dogs.) Because of their life cycle, it is necessary for a cat to be bitten by a mosquito to be infected with heartworms. Heartworms are not transmitted directly from one cat to another nor from a dog directly to a cat. How are heartworms diagnosed? There are several methods used in diagnosing heartworms; unfortunately, none are 100% reliable so a combination of tests is often needed. The diagn
Heartworms are transmitted through mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites a cat, it deposits baby heartworms (larvae). The larvae migrate and mature for several months, ending up in the right side of the heart and the pulmonary arteries. They mature into adult heartworms about six months from the time they enter the cat. Shortly thereafter, they begin to release immature heartworms, known as microfilaria. Microfilaria live in the cats blood for about one month. They are ingested by mosquitoes feeding on the cat. (However, most mosquitoes acquire microfilaria by feeding on heartworm-infected dogs.) Because of their life cycle, it is necessary for a cat to be bitten by a mosquito to be infected with heartworms. Heartworms are not transmitted directly from one cat to another nor from a dog directly to a cat. How are heartworms diagnosed? There are several methods used in diagnosing heartworms; unfortunately, none are 100% reliable so a combination of tests is often needed. The diagno
