Resource Center

The Deadly Truth: Heartworm Disease in Cats

Heartworm in cats can be deadly BUT it can be prevented.

5 Facts Every Pet Owner Should Know About Heartworm Disease

The five basic facts every pet owner needs to know about heartworm disease.

Updated COVID-19 Recommendations (October 2020)

Updated guidance on returning to normal protocols for heartworm prevention, testing, and treatment as COVID-19 mitigation measures were relaxed.

COVID-19 AHS Recommendation (April 2020)

Guidance on handling deviations from heartworm prevention, testing, and treatment necessitated by practice changes during the initial weeks and months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Heartworm Preventive Waiver

Client declining recommended heartworm prevention or testing? This hold-harmless waiver may help change their mind.

Bringing the 17th Triennial Heartworm Symposium to You

This Q&A provides highlights from 2022 AHS Triennial Heartworm Symposium speakers and moderators on leading issues presented and discussed at the conference.

Triennial Symposium Proceedings

Since the establishment of the American Heartworm Society in 1974, a symposium has been held every three years for the purpose of presenting the latest research on heartworm disease, diagnosis, and prevention. Presenters at each symposium come from all over the world.

Triennial Symposium

Heartworms Unraveled: Feline Heartworm Disease

In this veterinary nurse/technician training video, feline practitioner Dr. Mark Cousins, who practiced for decades at a cat-only clinic in New Orleans, provides an overview of feline heartworm disease, including an overview of the pathophysiology, clinical signs and diagnosis of this complex disease. CVT Paola Dominguez-Lopez concludes the video with a case study that illustrates how technicians can discuss and educate clients about this heartworm disease with cat owners and discusses educational resources that can be used in practice.

Heartworms Unraveled: Canine Heartworm Disease Treatment Strategies

In this veterinary nurse/technician training video, veterinary practitioner and AHS past president Dr. Tom Nelson explains how canine heartworm infection is treated and provides an overview of the AHS treatment protocol, along with rationale for the various steps and their timing. CVT Paola Dominguez-Lopez concludes the video with a case study that illustrates how technicians can discuss heartworm treatment with clients and provides and overview of AHS resources on this topic.

Heartworms Unraveled: Heartworm Prevention and its Importance

In this veterinary nurse/technician training video, veterinary practitioner and American Heartworm Society Past President Dr. Chris Duke shares an overview of why year-round heartworm prevention for pets is so important. His talk covers heartworm incidence in the U.S., the heartworm life cycle, the mosquito vector and its control, heartworm diagnosis and some of the options for heartworm prevention in pets. CVT Paola Dominguez-Lopez concludes the video with a case study that illustrations how veterinary nurses/technicians can discuss heartworm prevention with clients and how to help them find the prevention option that fits their pet, their lifestyle and their budget.

Heartworms Unraveled: Heartworm Epidemiology and Diagnosis

This staff training video features veterinary parasitologist Dr. Lindsay Starkey, who discusses the threat of heartworms, the disease epidemiology and the complexities of heartworm diagnosis. In addition, veterinary technician Paola Dominiquez-Lopez uses a case study to illustrate how to discuss heartworm testing--including the importance of annual testing--with clients.

Heartworms Unraveled: Heartworm Biology and Lifecycle

This staff training video features veterinary parasitologist Dr. Andy Moorhead, who explains heartworm biology and the complex heartworm life cycle. In addition, veterinary technician Paola Dominiquez-Lopez uses a case study to help guide veterinary technicians in how to discuss the heartworm life cycle with clients.

Was that a MOSQUITO?

In this video reel, a cat runs in fear from a mosquito that might be carrying heartworms

Just checking in!

In this video reel, a cat checks in on his owner about giving heartworm prevention

There's no running--or skating--away from heartworms!

In this video reel, a skateboard dog explains that he can't run fast enough to hide from heartworms

I'm fresh, clean and heartworm-free!

In this video reel, a bathing cat feels fresh and clean, thanks to heartworm prevention

Life's a breeeeeeze with heartworm prevention!

In this video reel, a fluffy dog equates heartworm prevention with a carefree life

High five for heartworm protection!

In this video reel, a dog shares a "high five" with her owner for protecting her from heartworm infection

Heartworm protection is better than a belly rub.

In this video reel, a happy dog shows love for the owner who protects him from heartworm infection

Heartworm protection makes me happy (cats)

In this video reel, a content cat show love for the owner who protects him from heartworm infection

Could heartworm be stopped at the level of the mosquito?

In this video, University of Pennsylvania researcher Dr. Michael Povelones discusses research to better understand heartworm transmission, as well as new, previously unexplored ways to prevent it.

Understanding the prevalence of heartworm in cats

The true prevalence of heartworms in cats has been a question in the minds of many veterinarians. In this video, veterinary parasitologist and Zoetis scientist Dr. Jessica Rodriguez discusses the findings of a recent study that compared the results of heartworm testing in dogs and cats from a heartworm-endemic area of the U.S. and explains what it revealed about different types of heartworm tests and which tests give the most accurate picture of heartworm prevalence.

When and why should cats be screen for heartworms?

n the U.S., veterinarians tend to reserve heartworm testing in cats for those that show overt clinical signs of adult heartworm infections. In this video, veterinary parasitologist and Zoetis scientist Dr. Jessica Rodriguez explains what a recent study done in conjunction with University of Florida and University of Oklahoma researchers revealed about the need to screen cats for heartworm and the need to protect them from this common parasite.

Understanding the risk of heartworm in cats

Heartworm disease in cats is very different from hearhtworm in dogs, as Dr. Tom Nelson explains.