Best prevention of cardiac worms for cats: 5 elections approved by veterinarians

While heartworms prefer to infect dogs instead of cats, this parasite transmitted by mosquitoes is still a major health risk for cats. Although the exact prevalence of Worms of heart to cats differs depending on the geographical location, the estimated prevalence in cats is about 5-20 percent of the rate in unprotected dogs (1) This means for every 100 infected dogs, there are five to 20 infected cats.

Using the prevention of heart worms for cats, PET parents can protect their cats from potentially fatal worm infestations. Find out everything you need to know about the prevention of the cat worms, as well as several choices approved by veterinarians to consider.

Why do cats need the prevention of heart worms?

Preventing heart worms for cats is the most effective method for protecting your cat against feline heart disease. The following are specific reasons why cats need to prevent heart worms throughout the year:

The heartworms were diagnosed in all 50 states, in all seasons, and in interior cats.

Dogs, foxes and coyotes are all important vectors for heart worms. The wind can blow mosquitoes on kilometers, easily wearing heart worms from an infected canine to your cat. It takes only one bite from a infected mosquito to your cat contract cardiac worms. These mosquitoes can enter your home and infect the interior cats. Actually, American Heartworm Society notes that a study found that 25 % of heart worms were considered only interior (2)

There is no approved treatment for heart worm infestations in cats.

So far, no study has shown that any form of therapy that kills cardiac worms increases the rate of survival in cats. Unfortunately, many cat worms cats need to be managed symptomaticallyusually taking steroids for lung disease. These cats must remain preventing to prevent worms from breeding while waiting for worms from their hearts to die, which may take years. During this expectation, worms can cause damage to the heart and lungs of the cat.

Heart worms have a relatively high fatality rate in cats.

While around 80 percent of cats will succeed in self-healing heartbreak infestation, about 10-20 percent will experience sudden death (3)

Types of heartworm prevention for cats

The cat worm medicine comes in two basic and current forms. Prevention of cardiac worms for cats can include tablets or pills. Topic drugs for heart worms are usually applied to the skin from the base of the skull or neck. Most of the drug prevention medicines are given once a month.

Worm preventatives on the market belong to the lactone macrocyclic class of antiparasitic drugs and include drugs such as:

Milbemicin oxime
Moxidectin
Selamectin

Most of the drug worms medicines also provide coverage against several intestinal worms. You can also see combined products that extend coverage to fleas and/or ticks.

Prevention of heart worms for cats requires a prescription from a veterinarian.

Best prevention of cardiac worms for cats: 5 Veterinari -approved elections

The veterinarian will help you choose the best preventive for heart worms for.

The following products are not listed in any specific orders.

Revolution Plus

Revolution Plus is a preventive cardiac worm for cats that includes selamectin and sarlar drugs. This medicine is applied monthly to the skin from the base of the neck in front of the shoulder blades.

The revolution plus prevents the disease of the worms of the heart; treats and controls round worms, intestinal worms and ears mites; and kills adult fleas. Because it can kill adult fleas, it helps prevent tapeworm infestations in cats. Revolution Plus can treat and control four species of tick infestations in cats.

Cats that take Revolution Plus should be at least 8 weeks and weigh at least 2.8 kilograms. The dosing is based on the weight of the cat.

Parents of pet should also notice that the drug sarlar is part of the isoxazoline drug class. Isoxazolins have rarely been associated with neurological adverse effects, including trembling, uncoordinated (ie, ataxia) and seizures. This preventive should be used with caution in cats that have a history of seizures or other neurological conditions.

There is also a current product called a revolution, which contains only selamectin. This product protects against heart worms, fleas, round worms, worms and mites for ear. Without a sarlar, the product does not protect against ticks.

Many advantage

Advantage Multi is a preventive cardiac worm for cats that includes moxidectin and imidacloprid drugs. This medicine is applied monthly to the skin from the base of the neck in front of the shoulder blades.

The advantage of many prevents the disease of the worms of the heart; kills adult fleas; And it can treat and control the mites of the ear, worms and round worms in cats.

Cats that take advantage of much more should have at least 9 weeks and weigh at least 2 kilograms. The dosing is based on the weight of the cat.

Combo Nexgard

Combo Nexgard is a preventive cardiac worm for cats that includes drugs, Esafoxolaner and Praziquantel. This medicine is applied monthly to the skin on the neck, between the base of the skull and the shoulder blade.

Combo Nexgard prevents heart worms disease in cats; It treats and controls round worms, hook worms and tapes; kills adult fleas and prevents fleas infestations; and treats and controls two species of tick infestations in cats.

Cats taking Combo Nexgard should have at least 8 weeks and weigh at least 1.8 kilograms. The dosing is based on the weight of the cat.

Like Sarolar in Revolution Plus, Nexgard Combo Esafoxolaner is part of the isoxazoline drug class. Isoxazolins have rarely been associated with neurological adverse effects, including trembling, uncoordinated (ie, ataxia) and seizures. This preventive should be used with caution in cats that have a history of seizures or other neurological conditions.

Bravecto Plus

Bravectic Plus is a preventive cardiac worm for cats that includes Moxidectin and Fluraner drugs. This medicine is applied every two months on the skin at the base of the skull.

Bravectic Plus prevents the disease of worms, treats round and worms, kills adult fleas, prevents flea infestations and treats and controls three species of ticks in cats.

Cats taking Bravecto Plus should be at least 6 months old and weigh at least 2.6 kilograms. The dosing is based on the weight of the cat.

The Fluraner from Bravecto Plus is part of the class of isoxazoline drugs. Isoxazolins have rarely been associated with neurological adverse effects, including trembling, uncoordinated (ie, ataxia) and seizures. This preventive should be used with caution in cats that have a history of seizures or other neurological conditions.

Interceptor

The interceptor is a preventive of oral heartworms for cats that includes the medicine Milbemicin Oxime. The medicine is given on the mouth every month and is a chewable tablet, with beef aroma. This medicine can be a good option for pets parents looking for heartworm pills for cats, instead of topical preventive.

The intercepter prevents worm disease and treats infestations with worms and round worms in cats.

Cats taking interceptor should have at least 6 weeks and weigh at least 1.5 kilograms. The dosing is based on the weight of the cat.

How to choose a preventive worms for cats

The veterinarian will help you choose the best heart worm prevention for your cat. Considerations include:

The will of your cat to take an oral medicine
Whether your cat had a reaction to preventive in the past
Any active parasite infestations that your cat has
The age and weight of your cat
Your cat’s medical history, especially food allergies and neurological disorders
Other pets or children in the house that may come into contact with topical preventions
How often do you want to prevent (monthly to every two months)
Financial restrictions

It may take a little experimentation to find what your cat produces your best tolerates. Make sure you announce your veterinarian if your cat develops adverse effects after taking heart worms.

Worm medicine Faq

Can I buy heart worms for cats from the countertop?

Cardiac worm drugs for cats are not available at the counter. These drugs require a veterinary recipe.

Do interior cats need the prevention of heart worms?

Yes, the interior cats should be kept in preventing the worms of the heart. It is considered that about one quarter of heart worms infestations appear in cats considered to be considered interior.

Is a heart -worm test required before a preventive start?

Yes, testing of heart worms is necessary before starting an prevention. If a cat is positive for heart worms, the granting of preventive can lead to a rare, but possibly severe reaction.

How often do worm medicines need?

Cats should be kept on worm medication throughout the year. Most medicines with cardiac worms for cats are given monthly. Bravectic Plus must be given every two months.

reference

Nelson, C Thomas and Calvin M Johnson. “The evaluation of the disease of worm worm based on crude necropia, serology, pulmonary histopathology and radiographic evidence in the northern adult cats -Alabama.” Parasites and vectors Vol. 17.1 161. March 29, 2024, two: 10.1186/S13071-024-06178-9
“Current felines for preventing, diagnosing and managing heart worms infection in cats.” American Society of Heart Worm. 2014. Taken from https://heartwormsociety.org/images/pdf/2014-ahs-feline-guidlines.pdf
Brooks, Wendy. “Heart worms infection in cats.” Veterinarypartner. Rev. April 20, 2023. Taken from