Cats are at risk for heartworm infection (Dirofilaria immitis) wherever the disease is endemic in dogs.  Diagnosis is more difficult in cats, and little information is available regarding effective palliative and curative treatments for infected cats.  In contrast to the challenges of diagnosis and treatment, chemoprophylaxis is highly effective, and current guidelines call for preventive medications to be administered to all cats in endemic areas.

The purpose of this study was to survey feline heartworm management protocols used by 400 animal shelters and foster programs in the endemic states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi.

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