It is estimated that feline heartworm infection prevalence is five percent to 20 percent of the canine infection prevalence in the same area. The authors review the challenges of diagnosing feline heartworm infections, the differences in life cycle and clinical aspects of feline heartworm infection versus dog heartworm infection.
Source: Today’s Veterinary Practice, July/August 2024. Link. Heartworm disease in cats can be serious and even fatal and does not require the presence of adult worms to cause substantial pathology and clinical signs.
Cats infected with adult heartworms may suffer from acute collapse and death with or without preceding clinical signs.”
NOTE: A client handout on feline heartworm disease is available for downloading and client education.