How to Prevent Heartworms in Cats
Although heartworm disease mostly affects dogs, it is a growing problem for felines too. With no drug treatment being currently available for cats who are infected with the disease, the thoughtful pet owner needs to consider preventing the problem in the first place. Luckily it is relatively simple to prevent heartworms in cats.
Two types of preventative heartworm medicines are available for our feline pets. Either a monthly heartworm pill, or a monthly topical heartworm medication are available for cats. A few different brands are available, which we will look at below.
Heartworm Pills for Cats
These are the most traditional way to prevent heartworms for cats. There are currently two brands of heartworm pills for cats approved by the FDA. Heartgard for Cats and Interceptor for Cats.
Heartgard and Heartgard Chewables are produced by Merial. Using ivermectin to destroy larval heartworms before they pose any threat to health. The active ingredient is absorbed into the bloodstream where it is fully able to destroy all larval heartworms which have been picked up by your pet from the bite of an infected mosquito during the previous month.
The other registered heartworm pill for cats is Interceptor, produced by Novartis. This is a prescription only medication even at Canadian pet pharmacies which may be why it is not the most popular method of preventing heartworms in cats. Using milbemycin oxime to destroy larval heartworms, roundworms and hookworms.
Topical Heartworm Medication for Cats
These are growing in popularity as a way of controlling many forms of parasite in both dogs and cats. Topical heartworm medicines are typically applied to the skin between the shoulder blades. This prevents the cat removing the oily liquid before it is fully absorbed. The active ingredient is then transferred to the circulatory system where it is able to fully destroy all larval heartworms which have been transferred to your pet via an infected mosquito bite during the last month.
The two brands of topical heartworm medicine available for felines are Advantage Multi and Revolution. Both are growing in popularity as they control other parasites whilst giving full protection from heartworm disease.
Revolution for cats is produced by Pfizer. This topical heartworm treatment uses selamectin to destroy larval heartworms, intestinal parasites, fleas, ticks and mites.
Advantage Multi for cats is produced by Bayer. This spot on heartworm medication uses the same flea killing ingredient as ordinary Advantage flea drops. The two active ingredients are moxidectin and imidacloprid. Combined, these two destroy heartworm larvae, fleas, roundworms, hookworms and ear mites.
Both Advantage Multi for Cats and Revolution for Cats are available from the Canadian online pet med pharmacy links at the side.
How Does Heartworm Medicine for Cats Work?
Heartworms in cats are easily prevented using a dedicated preventative heartworm medication. Regardless of whether you choose heartworm pills or topical heartworm medication, the process is basically the same. Juvenile heartworm larvae are destroyed before they have a chance to mature to adulthood, reproduce and cause health problems for your cat. These treatments do not stop your pet picking up the parasite, as it is simply too difficult to guarantee no mosquito will bite your pet. But a long as these treatments are used every 30 days they are able to completely destroy all larval heartworms which have infected your pet since the last treatment.
Can I Control Other Parasites with my Cat’s Heartworm Medicine?
The volume of the active ingredient used to destroy heartworms is tiny. So to control other parasites it is usual for another ingredient to be needed. Revolution heartworm drops are able to incorporate intestinal parasite and flea control with only one ingredient. Advantage Multi for cats uses two, to give complete heartworm, intestinal parasite and flea protection.
Which is the Best Heartworm Medicine for Cats?
All four approved preventative heartworm medicines are equally good at preventing heartworm disease. If used correctly all will completely destroy all larval worms before they can become any threat to health.
If you only want to concern yourself with heartworm prevention either of the heartworm pills are fine. But, with cats being notoriously difficult to give oral medications, many cat owners choose topical heartworm medications instead. Using Advantage Multi for Cats or Revolution means you can combine a de-wormer and flea control with your heartworm medicine regime. This combination of treatments makes these the best heartworm medicine for cat owners who like to make life simple by reducing the number of medications administered.
Can I Buy Heartworm Medicine for Cats without a Prescription?
Canadian online pet med outlets are able to supply a wide range of medicines without a prescription. Follow the links on the side to buy discount Advantage Multi and Revolution for Cats without needing to speak to your veterinarian about a prescription.
Notes on Heartworm Medicines for Cats
Remember dog and cat heartworm medicines are not the same and cannot be used interchangeably. Your pet should have an annual test for heartworm disease prior to giving any preventative heartworm medicines.
Speak to your vet about the risks of heartworms in cats in your region. You may find they suggest only using such preventatives for part of the year.
If you miss a dose of heartworm medicine, administer one as soon as possible. Then continue giving every 30 days from this new date. Do not 'double dose'. If more than two months elapse between treatments speak to your vet about a new heartworm test.
Remember treating heartworms in cats is tremendously difficult, but prevention is extremely easy.