Wednesday, April 16, 2025 | 06:00 PM EDT
Even though veterinary knowledge regarding feline heartworm has been increasing significantly over the past two decades, diagnosing Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease (HARD) remains one of the conundrums of veterinary medicine. Although dogs are the definitive host, cats are susceptible hosts to Dirofilaria immitis, and are more resistant to infection with adult worms compared to their canine counterparts. Necropsy surveys of shelter cats have shown feline adult heartworm infection prevalence to be 5-20% of the rate in unprotected dogs; however, other studies have shown feline heartworm antibody prevalence up to 33%, reflecting higher infection rates. Thus, the true prevalence of feline heartworm infection is likely underestimated due to the limitations of current diagnostic techniques, inadequate testing protocols, and the high likelihood of cats exhibiting transient clinical signs or dying without confirmation of infection. This presentation will provide attendees with tools from the new 2024 American Heartworm Society Feline Guidelines including knowledge of the disease pathogenesis, tests recommended to diagnose HARD, and management of feline heartworm infections and HARD.
Learning Objectives
After attending this webinar, participants should be able to:
- Learn the pathogenesis of feline heartworm disease and the pathological effects on the lungs.
- Understand the limitations of current heartworm tests and how to choose which test to run.
- Management of Feline Heartworm Infections and Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease.
- How to incorporate the feline heartworm preventative concept into the culture of the practice.
Speaker Bios
C. Thomas Nelson, DVM
Dr. Nelson is the Hospital Director of the VCA Animal Medical Center of N.E. Alabama in Anniston, AL and has been in private practice for 46 years. He was first elected to the board of the American Heartworm Society in 2001 and has served as the Society president (2004-2007), Symposium Co-chair (2010-2013), and currently is chair of the AHS Research Committee. He is the lead author of the Heartworm Society Guidelines, has authored or coauthored over 30 papers and contributed four chapters to textbooks on the subject of heartworm disease.
W. Mark Cousins, DVM, DABVP (Feline), CVPP, CVA
Dr. W. Mark Cousins, DVM, is an accomplished veterinarian specializing in feline medicine. He earned his DVM from Louisiana State University in 1980, and has since pursued extensive post-graduate training, including business management studies at Purdue University. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP), specializing in feline practice, and has achieved certifications as a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP) from the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management, and as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) from the International Veterinary Acupuncturist Society. Dr. Cousins has presented at numerous national and international veterinary symposia and schools and is also a published author in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. In addition to his clinical work, he serves on the Board of Directors of the American Heartworm Society, and is a founding diplomate and pending fellow of the Companion Animal Pain Management Fellowship of the ABVP. He also holds the position of Feline Regent for ABVP.
RACE Credits
RACE Credits
This program is approved by the AAVSB to offer a total of 1.00 CE Credits (1.00 max) being available to any one veterinarian: and/or 1.00 Veterinary Technician CE Credits (1.00 max). This RACE approval is for the subject matter categorie(s) of: Medical using the delivery method(s) of: Non-Interactive Distance. This approval is valid in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB CE; however, participants are responsible for ascertaining each board’s CE requirements.