Simplified view of transmission of heartworm infection from dogs to cats.
Symptoms can include coughing, difficulty breathing or exercise intolerance.
Some cats may die suddenly from heartworms. The Microfilaria concentration tests were the standard test in dogs several years ago. The microfilaria test is not used commonly in cats since microfilaria are rarely found in cats with heartworms. Microfilaria from a blood smear of a dog infected with heartworms The Heartworm antibody test The heartworm antibody test is a blood test that detects antibodies the cat has formed against the heartworm. A positive test results tells us that the cat has been exposed to heartworms.