| Line 35: |
Line 35: |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| − | === ''Dirofilaria immitis'' ===
| |
| − | *A canine parasite - see under Dog Nematodes for life-cycle etc.
| |
| − | *Cats are abnormal hosts, and so ''D. immitis'' is not very infective for cats.
| |
| − | *Nevertheless, feline infection is common (up to 25%) in some heavily endemic areas.
| |
| − | *But only small numbers of adult worms (1-3) establish.
| |
| − | *The prepatent period is longer (approximately 8months) than in the dog.
| |
| − | *Few, if any, microfilariae are produced (<20% of cases positive).
| |
| − | *The life-span of the worm is shorter (2-3years).
| |
| − | *However: one dead adult → acute pulmonary crisis (thromboembolism).
| |
| | | | |
| − |
| |
| − | === Feline Heartworm Disease ===
| |
| − | *Lung pathology similar to dog, but little heart pathology.
| |
| − | *Coughing starts 4-6months post-infection.
| |
| − | *Antibody-detection ELISA used for diagnosis, but false positives occur (antigen ELISA cannot be used as antigen rarely expressed in cats).
| |
| − | *There is no licensed adulticidal therapy, and treatment may be fatal for the cat as well as the worm.
| |
| − | *Ivermectin or selamectin can be used for prevention.
| |
| | | | |
| | | | |