ABSTRACT
Dirofilaria immitis infection in cats is a recognized clinical problem with increasing incidence and public awareness. Heartworm disease in cats has been reported worldwide and is consistently diagnosed in heartworm endemic areas. There are three methods which have been used in the diagnosis of feline heartworm disease: immunofluorescence tests for microfilarial antibody, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibody to adult worms, and ELISA for adult antigen. Radiography is one of the best screening tests for feline heartworm infection. The pulmonary parenchymal changes are nonspecific and can change rapidly in infected cats. An enlarged main pulmonary arterial segment extending beyond the cardiac border on the ventro-dorsal or dorso-ventral view is not a classic feature of feline heartworm infection. Treatment of feline heartworm cases with thiacetarsamide sodium is safely tolerated by cats without immediate complications of hepato- or nephrotoxicity. Clinical signs tend to improve after therapy.
