Although both dogs and cats can be attacked by heartworms, the disease has uniquely sinister features in our feline friends.

Once a mosquito injects heartworm larvae into a cat, they make their way to the heart and lungs. These immature form are the real culprits. As they settle into pulmonary blood vessels and airways, they cause serious inflammation. That’s when clinical signs can mimic those of feline asthma or other diseases that target a cat’s respiratory tract.

Just one bite from a mosquito can be fatal. That’s why savvy cat owners give their furry friends heartworm preventatives. And remember—mosquitoes find their way inside, too. In fact, a recent study showed that over 25 percent of heartworm-positive cats in one locale were always kept inside.

Feline heartworm disease bites. Make sure you’re ready to bite back.