Can a cat pass on heartworm to another pet, or person? - Four Paws At Fulshear

No, cats are not the primary hosts for heartworm disease. While they can have one or two worms in their hearts, the majority of transmission occurs through dogs.

Contributed by Dr. Meghan Denney from

How does a cat get heartworm? - Four Paws At Fulshear

Cats get heartworms by being bitten by a mosquito.

Contributed by Dr. Meghan Denney from

What is an internal parasite? - Four Paws At Fulshear

An internal parasite is anything that lives inside of you, such as intestinal parasites, heartworms, tick-borne diseases, blood-borne diseases, and fungal diseases.

Contributed by Dr. Meghan Denney from

What is cat heartworm disease? - Four Paws At Fulshear

A cat heartworm is the same as dog heartworms. They are parasites that live inside a host, regardless of who they bite or where they live.

Contributed by Dr. Meghan Denney from

Are skin tumors painful for cats? - Blue Oasis Pet Hospital

Skin tumors can become painful for cats. When they are small, they may not be very uncomfortable. However, skin tumors can grow aggressively, ulcerate, and grow into tissue spaces, which can become uncomfortable for the cat.

Contributed by Noel Lucas DVM from

Is a skin cancer diagnosis in cats a death sentence? - Blue Oasis Pet Hospital

A skin cancer diagnosis in cats is not necessarily a death sentence. However, it's important to be mindful of any lesions on your cat's skin, especially on the face. If you notice a lesion, nodule, or an ulcerative area, it's crucial to get your cat checked by a vet as soon as possible. Cats don't get cancer as easily as dogs, but when they do, it's far more likely to be malignant. Catching skin cancer early can open up more treatment options and potentially even cure it when it's smaller.

Contributed by Noel Lucas DVM from

Are certain cat breeds more prone to skin cancer? - Blue Oasis Pet Hospital

Specific studies would need to be consulted to determine if a particular cat breed is more at risk. Generally, skin cancer is more common in cats with lighter hair. White cats, in particular, are overrepresented in having skin cancer.

Contributed by Noel Lucas DVM from

What can I do to help prevent skin cancer in my cat? - Blue Oasis Pet Hospital

While there may be very little that you can do to prevent skin cancer in cats, there is a correlation between ultraviolet radiation or sun exposure, and cats getting squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas. Cats with lighter haired faces or non-haired areas of their body are more at risk, so limiting their sun exposure can help prevent skin cancer.

Contributed by Noel Lucas DVM from

What kinds of skin cancer can cats get? - Blue Oasis Pet Hospital

Cats can get varying types of skin cancer. The most common type of skin cancer in cats is called squamous cell carcinoma or SCC. This is often seen around their faces, noses, eyelids, and tips of their ears. Other types of skin cancer in cats include basal cell carcinoma, melanomas, mast cell tumors, and fibrosarcomas.

Contributed by Noel Lucas DVM from
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