Has anyone out there had any experience with Feline Heartworms? My Siamese, Simon, has been having coughing spells off an on for the past two years. Two years ago, he got x-rays, an echo on his heart, and a bronchoscopy. Also had a heartworm test that showed negative. All that to not find anything definitive. Has fluid in his lungs, inflammation. The coughing is what I'd call wet - neck stretched out, mouth closed, breathing through his nose. All this time, we thought Asthma or similar.
I went in for a check up last week - took another x-ray and retested the heartworm test. We're still waiting on the heartworm test results - hopefully will get those on Monday. The specialist - Cardiologist and Internal Medicine Doc - said if indeed it is heartworms, he doesn't treat them because the treatment is harsher in cats than just letting them die on their own. But even if they die on their own, it could still kill the cat.
Is the coughing the same with heartworms and Asthma? Anyone seen a heartworm positive kitty? Simon doesn't go outside at all, he's a tad overweight, eats normal, acts completely normal between coughing episodes. He had a cough spell this morning and then when he was finished, went to the food dish and dived right in.
Thanks for any help.
Kim
