Is heartworm infection treatable in cats?
A. At the present time, there are no proven treatments for eliminating heartworms from infected cats. The American Heartworm Society Guidelines list specific therapies available for heartworm-infected cats with or without acute signs. Therapies range from treating obvious clinical signs with inflammation-reducing steroids (prednisone) to stabilizing acutely ill cats with treatments appropriate for shock. According to the circumstances, options include giving fluids and oxygen, confining the cat, medications to help the cat breathe, steroids to reduce inflammation, drugs for heart and lungs, antibiotics and nursing care. Your veterinarian may treat your cat’s symptoms if it is displaying signs of disease. Because of the potential for serious or fatal consequences of infection, preventing heartworm is the best strategy.
