TY - JOUR
T1 - Dirofilarioses in cats
T2 - European guidelines from the ABCD on prevention and management
AU - Pennisi, Maria Grazia
AU - Tasker, Séverine
AU - Hartmann, Katrin
AU - Belák, Sándor
AU - Addie, Diane
AU - Boucraut-Baralon, Corine
AU - Egberink, Herman
AU - Frymus, Tadeusz
AU - Hofmann-Lehmann, Regina
AU - Hosie, Margaret
AU - Lloret, Albert
AU - Marsilio, Fulvio
AU - Thiry, Etienne
AU - Truyen, Uwe
AU - Möstl, Karin
PY - 2020/5
Y1 - 2020/5
N2 - OVERVIEW: Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are the most important filarial worms, causing heartworm disease and subcutaneous dirofilariosis, respectively. D repens is currently considered an emerging zoonotic agent in Europe.LIFE CYCLE AND INFECTION: Filarial worms infect mainly dogs, but also cats, ferrets, wild carnivores and humans. The life cycle involves an intermediate mosquito host. Compared with dogs, cats are imperfect hosts for dirofilarial worms. After inoculation, only a low number of L3 larvae develop to the adult stage in a small percentage of cats. Heartworm disease in cats may be associated with severe pulmonary thromboembolism and an eosinophilic inflammatory response in the lungs, potentially leading to sudden death. Otherwise self-cure occurs in most cases after 18-48 months. Subcutaneous dirofilariosis may present as subcutaneous nodules or dermatitis.DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: Diagnosis in cats is more difficult compared with dogs and needs a multistep approach (antigen and antibody tests, as well as diagnostic imaging). Cats with acute heartworm disease require stabilisation within an intensive care unit. Cats with respiratory signs or suggestive radiographic changes should receive prednisolone and follow-up with a similar multistep approach. Adulticidal therapy is not safe in cats.PREVENTION: In endemic areas cats should receive year-round chemoprophylaxis from 2 months of age.
AB - OVERVIEW: Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are the most important filarial worms, causing heartworm disease and subcutaneous dirofilariosis, respectively. D repens is currently considered an emerging zoonotic agent in Europe.LIFE CYCLE AND INFECTION: Filarial worms infect mainly dogs, but also cats, ferrets, wild carnivores and humans. The life cycle involves an intermediate mosquito host. Compared with dogs, cats are imperfect hosts for dirofilarial worms. After inoculation, only a low number of L3 larvae develop to the adult stage in a small percentage of cats. Heartworm disease in cats may be associated with severe pulmonary thromboembolism and an eosinophilic inflammatory response in the lungs, potentially leading to sudden death. Otherwise self-cure occurs in most cases after 18-48 months. Subcutaneous dirofilariosis may present as subcutaneous nodules or dermatitis.DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: Diagnosis in cats is more difficult compared with dogs and needs a multistep approach (antigen and antibody tests, as well as diagnostic imaging). Cats with acute heartworm disease require stabilisation within an intensive care unit. Cats with respiratory signs or suggestive radiographic changes should receive prednisolone and follow-up with a similar multistep approach. Adulticidal therapy is not safe in cats.PREVENTION: In endemic areas cats should receive year-round chemoprophylaxis from 2 months of age.
KW - Animals
KW - Cat Diseases/prevention & control
KW - Cats
KW - Dirofilaria immitis
KW - Dirofilaria repens
KW - Dirofilariasis/prevention & control
U2 - 10.1177/1098612X20917601
DO - 10.1177/1098612X20917601
M3 - Article (Academic Journal)
C2 - 32326862
SN - 1098-612X
VL - 22
SP - 442
EP - 451
JO - Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
JF - Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
IS - 5
ER -