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Surgical removal of heartworms from the right atrium of a cat
M Borgarelli1, L Venco, P M Piga
1Clinica Veterinaria Valsusa, Avigliana, Torino, Italy.
Insights
Even two adult heartworms can severely impact a cat's heart and lungs. Surgical removal of heartworms, combined with supportive care, offers a path to complete recovery for infected cats.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Heartworm infection (Dirofilaria immitis) poses a significant threat to feline health, with as few as two adult worms capable of causing severe cardiac and respiratory issues.
- Echocardiography is a crucial diagnostic tool for visualizing heartworms and assessing the feasibility of their surgical removal in cats.
Observation:
- Manual insertion of a catheter equipped with basket-type retrieval forceps into the right atrium via jugular venotomy, guided by fluoroscopy, allows for the direct removal of adult heartworms.
Findings:
- Surgical extraction of adult heartworms from the feline heart is achievable.
- Combined surgical intervention with supportive medical treatments, including heparin, prednisone, and antibiotics, can lead to complete recovery.
Implications:
- This minimally invasive surgical technique provides a viable treatment option for feline heartworm disease.
- Successful heartworm removal and subsequent supportive care can significantly improve the prognosis and quality of life for affected cats.
Abstract:
As few as 2 adult heartworms can cause cardiac enlargement and severe respiratory compromise in cats. Use of echocardiography to view heartworms may indicate whether surgical removal is possible. Aided by fluoroscopy, manual insertion of a catheter that contains basket-type retrieval forceps into the right atrium, via jugular venotomy, may permit removal of adult heartworms from cats. Surgical removal of heartworms and supportive treatment with heparin, prednisone, and antibiotics may result in complete recovery from heartworm infection in cats.