Heartworm infection in cats: 50 cases (1985–1997)
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OBJECTIVE: To characterize risk factors, clinical findings, usefulness of diagnostic tests, and prognosis in cats with naturally occurring heartworm infection (HWI). DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 50 cats with Dirofilaria immitis infection. PROCEDURE: Medical records, thoracic radiographs, and echocardiograms were reviewed and findings compared with appropriate reference populations. RESULTS: Findings suggested that male cats were not predisposed to HWI, domestic shorthair cats were at increased risk, and indoor housing was only partially protective. Fewer cases of HWI were identified in the final quarter of the year, compared with other periods, and prevalence is not apparently increasing. Signs of respiratory tract disease were most common, followed by vomiting. Infection was diagnosed incidentally in > 25% of cats; conversely, 10% of infected cats died suddenly without other clinical signs. Serologic tests were most useful for diagnosis, followed by radiography and echocardiography. Eosinophilia supported the diagnosis. Overall median survival time was 1.5 years but exceeded 4 years in cats surviving beyond the day of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Sex does not appear to be a risk factor for HWI in cats, and indoor housing provides only incomplete protection. Signs of respiratory tract disease (dyspnea and cough) are the strongest indicators of HWI in cats, and some radiographic evidence of infection is detected in most cases. Antibody screening for HWI in cats is efficacious, and antigen testing and echocardiography are most useful for making a definitive antemortem diagnosis.
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Another retrospective study of symptomatic cats showed a median survival time of 1.5 years overall.
“Another retrospective study of symptomatic cats showed a median survival time of 1.5 years overall [43,44].”
From First Autochthonous Infection of a Cat with Dirofilaria immitis in Austria (2021) · cites this paper as [44]
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- Authors
- Atkins, C. E., DeFrancesco, T. C., Coats, J. R., Sidley, J. A., & Keene, B. W.
- Affiliations
- North Carolina State University (US)
- Venue
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Published
- 2000-08-01
- Volume
- 217
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 355-358
- ISSN
- 0003-1488 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2148194987
- Cited by
- 89
- References
- 13
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 5 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 1.80
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Helminth infection and control
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
- Keywords
- feline heartworm infection, Dirofilaria immitis, cats, risk factors, domestic shorthair cat, indoor housing, seasonal variation, serological diagnosis, antigen testing, echocardiography, thoracic radiography, eosinophilia, respiratory signs, prognosis, survival time
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Cat Diseases, Cats, Dirofilariasis, Female, Male, Prognosis, Retrospective Studies, Risk Factors, Survival Analysis
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