I was reading about cat diseases, the other day. Unlike searches for human illnesses, Google generally does not return medicine-maker advertising. Not every result is useful. Many are of the "I cured my cat's brain tumor with St. John's Wort, reikki. and a strict Vegan diet." But most of the rest are general-audience information posted by veterinarians.
Among other things, I wanted to read-up on heartworm in cats. Cats don't get heartworm as easily as dogs, even if they're bitten by a larva-carrying mosquito. Indoor cats, being exposed to far fewer mosquitos than other cats, are still less likely to acquire heartworms. Which is good, because the prognosis for a heartworm-infected cat is grim. I know the odds because I've done my own reading, and discussed the subject with more than one veterinarian. More than once, I been told that indoor cats in Michigan are at such a low risk for heartworm that heartworm-preventative is an unnecessary expense.
So, in my reading, I was surprised to see a statement that one study showed 1/3 of indoor cats actually had heartworms. That was followed by a recommendation to administer heartworm-preventative, and an endorsement of a specific product. I realized I had strayed from education to advertising. It was jarring.
Among other things, I wanted to read-up on heartworm in cats. Cats don't get heartworm as easily as dogs, even if they're bitten by a larva-carrying mosquito. Indoor cats, being exposed to far fewer mosquitos than other cats, are still less likely to acquire heartworms. Which is good, because the prognosis for a heartworm-infected cat is grim. I know the odds because I've done my own reading, and discussed the subject with more than one veterinarian. More than once, I been told that indoor cats in Michigan are at such a low risk for heartworm that heartworm-preventative is an unnecessary expense.
So, in my reading, I was surprised to see a statement that one study showed 1/3 of indoor cats actually had heartworms. That was followed by a recommendation to administer heartworm-preventative, and an endorsement of a specific product. I realized I had strayed from education to advertising. It was jarring.
