All have products are chosen at the discretion of the GreatPetCare editorial squad and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the generator or reviewer .
While heartworms favour to infect dogs instead of cats , this mosquito - send sponge is still a major health risk to CAT . Although the exact prevalence ofheartworms in catsdiffers by geographic placement , the forecast prevalence in cats is around 5–20 percent of the rate in unprotected dogs [ 1 ] . This have in mind for every 100 infected dog , there are five to 20 septic qat .
By using heartworm prevention for cats , preferred parent can protect their true cat from potentially deadly heartworm infestation . Find out everything you need to know about cat heartworm prevention , as well as several vet - approved plectrum to deal .
Why Do Cats Need Heartworm Prevention?
Heartworm prevention for African tea is the most effective method for protect your cat from feline heartworm disease . The following are specific intellect that cats call for year - round heartworm prevention :
Heartworms have been diagnosed in all 50 province , in all seasons of the twelvemonth , and in indoor - only cats .
Dogs , slyboots , and coyotes are all important vectors for heartworms . The winding can blow mosquitoes for knot , easy carry heartworms from an infected cuspid to your cat . It only takes one bit from an septic mosquito for your cat to declaration heartworms . These mosquitoes can accede your home and taint indoor cats , too . In fact , the American Heartworm Society take note that one study find that 25 percent of cats with heartworms were believe indoor - only [ 2 ] .
There is no approved intervention for grownup heartworm infestation in cats .
Thus far , no study has shown that any class of therapy that kills grownup heartworms increases the survival rate in cats . Unfortunately , many cats with heartworms have to bemanaged symptomatically , normally take steroid hormone for lung disease . These khat have to continue on bar to keep the worms from reproducing while look for the worm in their hearts to die , which can take years . During this wait , the worms can get damage to the cat ’s nitty-gritty and lung .
Heartworms have a relatively high fatality charge per unit in cats .
While around 80 percent of cats will manage to ego - cure their heartworm infestation , around 10 - 20 percent will experience sudden expiry [ 3 ] .
Types of Heartworm Prevention for Cats
Cat heartworm medicine comes in two basic mannequin — oral and topical . Oral heartworm bar for cats can include tablets or pills . Topical heartworm medication for cats are unremarkably lend oneself to the tegument at the base of the skull or back of the neck . Most computed axial tomography heartworm prevention medicines are given once monthly .
Heartworm preventatives on the market belong to the macrocyclic lactone class of antiparasitic drug and let in drugs like :
Most heartworm medication for cats also provides coverage against several intestinal worm . You may also detect combination product that expand coverage to fleas and/or ticks .
Heartworm prevention for cats expect a prescription from a veterinary .
Best Heartworm Prevention for Cats: 5Vet-Approved Picks
Your veterinarian will help you peck the right heartworm preventative for your cat . There are other swell products that we have not included on this list , and your veterinary surgeon may commend a dissimilar ware from the ones we ’ve included in this review .
The following production are not listed in any specific rescript .
Revolution Plus
Revolution Plus is a topical heartworm birth control gadget for cats that include the drugs selamectin and sarolaner . This medication is applied monthly to the skin at the base of the cervix in front of the articulatio humeri blades .
Revolution Plus forestall heartworm disease ; dainty and control roundworms , intestinal hookworms , and spike mites ; and stamp out grownup flea . Because it can kill adult fleas , it assist to foreclose cestode infestation in cats . Revolution Plus can also treat and control four specie of check infestations in cats .
true cat taking Revolution Plus should be at least 8 workweek sure-enough and weigh at least 2.8 pounds . drug is base on the cat ’s weight .
favourite parents should also note that the drug sarolaner is part of the isoxazoline drug family . Isoxazolines have rarely been associated with neurologic contrary effects , include microseism , an uncoordinated gait ( i.e. , ataxia ) , and ictus . This prophylactic equipment should be used with caveat in cats who have a account of raptus or other neurologic condition .
There is also a topical product call Revolution , which contains only selamectin . This product protects against heartworms , fleas , ringworm , hookworms , and auricle tinge . Without sarolaner , the product does not protect against ticks .
Advantage Multi
Advantage Multi is a topical heartworm preventative for cat that include the drug moxidectin and imidacloprid . This medicinal drug is applied monthly to the skin at the radical of the neck opening in front of the shoulder vane .
Advantage Multi foreclose heartworm disease ; kill adult flea ; and can treat and control ear mites , hookworms , and roundworms in cats .
Cats taking Advantage Multi should be at least 9 weeks old and weigh at least 2 pound . Dosing is based on the cat ’s free weight .
NexGard Combo
NexGard Combo is a topical heartworm preventative for computed axial tomography that includes the drug eprinomectin , esafoxolaner , and praziquantel . This medicine is applied monthly to the skin on the neck between the cornerstone of the skull and the shoulder leaf blade .
NexGard Combo forestall heartworm disease in cats ; treats and controls roundworms , hookworms , and tapeworm ; kills grownup flea and prevents flea infestations ; and treats and controls two species of tick infestation in cats .
qat taking NexGard Combo should be at least 8 week old and weigh at least 1.8 quid . drug is ground on the cat ’s weightiness .
Like sarolaner in Revolution Plus , the esafoxolaner in NexGard Combo is part of the isoxazoline drug class . Isoxazolines have rarely been tie in with neurologic adverse effects , include tremors , an uncoordinated gait ( i.e. , ataxia ) , and seizures . This hitch should be used with forethought in cats who have a story of ictus or other neurologic condition .
Bravecto Plus
Bravecto Plus is a topical heartworm preventative for cats that includes the drugs moxidectin and fluralaner . This medication is put on every two month to the skin at the root word of the skull .
Bravecto Plus foreclose heartworm disease , treats roundworm and hookworms , kills grownup flea , prevents flea infestations , and treats and hold in three species of ticks in cat .
Cats taking Bravecto Plus should be at least 6 months old and weigh at least 2.6 pounds . Dosing is base on the cat ’s free weight .
The fluralaner in Bravecto Plus is part of the isoxazoline drug class . Isoxazolines have seldom been associated with neurologic adverse personal effects , include tremors , an uncoordinated gait ( i.e. , ataxia ) , and seizure . This incumbrance should be used with caution in big cat who have a history of seizure or other neurologic conditions .
Interceptor
Interceptor is an oral heartworm preventative for computed tomography that includes the drug milbemycin oxime . The medicinal drug is pass on by back talk every calendar month and is a cuttable , beef - flavored tablet . This drug may be a unspoilt option for best-loved parents looking for heartworm pills for bozo instead of topical preventatives .
Interceptor prevents heartworm disease and treats hookworm and roundworm infestations in quat .
Cats taking Interceptor should be at least 6 weeks one-time and consider at least 1.5 pounds . Dosing is based on the cat ’s weight .
How to Choosea Heartworm Preventative for Cats
Your veterinarian will help you choose the best heartworm preventative for your computed tomography . Considerations include :
It may take a minuscule experimenting to find which mathematical product your cat tolerate best . Make trusted to allow your veterinarian make out if your cat develops any adverse force after taking heartworm bar .
Cat Heartworm MedicineFAQ
Can I buy heartworm medication for cats over the counter?
Heartworm medication for cats is not available over the return . These medications demand a veterinary ethical drug .
Do indoor cats need heartworm prevention?
Yes , indoor cats should be kept on heartworm prevention . Around one - fourth of heartworm infestations in cats are think to go on in cats considered indoor cat .
Is a cat heartworm test necessary before starting a preventative?
Yes , heartworm examination is necessary before starting a contraceptive gadget . If a computed axial tomography is heartworm positive , give preventatives can lead to a rare but possibly serious reaction .
How often do cats need heartworm medicine?
Cats should be kept on heartworm medicine year - round . Most heartworm medicines for cats are give monthly . Bravecto Plus take to be given every two month .
