title: Prevalence and risk factors for heartworm infection in cats from northern Florida.
abstract: Necropsies were performed on 630 adult cats in northern Florida to determine the prevalence and risk factors for heartworm infection in cats of this region. Heartworms were identified in 4.9% of cats, and serological evidence of heartworm exposure was present in 17% of cats. Not all cats from which heartworms were recovered were seropositive for heartworm antigen or antibody. There was no association between heartworm infection and co-infection with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Male cats were at higher risk of infection with heartworm, FeLV, or FIV than were females. Because even a single heartworm can cause clinical disease or death in cats, the authors conclude that cats in this region should receive heartworm prophylaxis to prevent heartworm infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
authors.forename: Julie K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Patti S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.forename: Larissa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Taveres
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hooks
authors.forename: Mike J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Pegelow
authors.forename: Margaret R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Slater
authors.forename: Kathy L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Marc E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Salute
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002415:Cats; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000276:immunology*; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth