View Full Version : Microfilaria to Heartworms
TIFFERS
09-11-2007, 11:00 AM
Prevention is key for cats and dogs alike.
Here are what most people know as "heartworms", an actual worm infesting the heart. It takes one worm to kill a cat, and it varies with dogs.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5004446.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5004447.jpg
These worms were removed during a necropsy. There's been one known case of heartworms in humans. During an autopsy they were found, but were not the cause of death.
TIFFERS
09-11-2007, 11:01 AM
Here, under the microscope you can see the Microfilaria. These take 6 months to grow into an adult worm, and generally live in the heart as adults for about 5-6 years.
This is what blood looks like.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5001384.jpg
Here, you can see the microfilaria squiggling around.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5001687-1.jpg
I've circled them, so that you can better see.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5001687Diagram-1.jpg
It is really awesome to see in person, though. The blood and worms move around, they slither throughout the slide. They're small, almost clear. My camera takes HUGE pictures, so when I took the pictures...I zoomed in really close still with exceptional detail and saw them. It's amazing.
Goldfishlove
09-12-2007, 05:57 PM
ewww thats kinda gross but very interesting
TIFFERS
09-12-2007, 07:47 PM
Ahahahaha, thanks! :)
Kat Lover
09-15-2007, 12:02 AM
Tiffers, question for you since you work at a vets office. Why do vets not run heartworm tests on cats like they do dogs?
NewfieGrl
09-15-2007, 09:41 AM
Ok, very interesting but now my stomach is turning!
Michele
owned by 2 Newfies, a cocker spaniel and 3 cats
RIP Bootsie-March ? 1988-April 22, 2007
TIFFERS
09-15-2007, 01:43 PM
Tiffers, question for you since you work at a vets office. Why do vets not run heartworm tests on cats like they do dogs?
...they can, but they aren't as simple as dog's. The cat's blood has to be sent to a specific lab for the test to be run, we use Idexx. One heartworm can kill a cat, and generally cat's immune systems can fight off the microfilaria on it's own.
I didn't know cats got heart worms. What would be the symptoms. I have a cat that goes out. He has brought me mice, moles, and poor little birds. He can get worms from that, I think.
TIFFERS
09-15-2007, 03:18 PM
Heartworms and intestinal worms are two TOTALLY different things. A link that may be of interest to you Ebby, is knowheartworms.org (http://www.knowheartworms.org/).
Heartworms come from mosquitos. :) A lot of respiratory problems are misdiagnosed and can be actual heartworm infections in cats.
Kat Lover
09-15-2007, 11:55 PM
Heartworms and intestinal worms are two TOTALLY different things. A link that may be of interest to you Ebby, is knowheartworms.org (http://www.knowheartworms.org/).
Heartworms come from mosquitos. :) A lot of respiratory problems are misdiagnosed and can be actual heartworm infections in cats.
Tiffers, thanks for the website. I learned something new tonight. I had no idea that cats could also get it.
Hi Michele, this is Evelyn, we talked last evening. Fancy meeting you here.