The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 42

G6 Pantagraph Sunday, March 18, 2007 www.pantagraph.com Cats, as well as dogs, not immune to heartworm By Dr. Chris Ralney MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS When discussing heartworm disease in man's best friend, the family dog, I have been pleasantly surprised. Most people are not only knowledgeable, but are quite vigilant in their administration of a monthly heartworm preventative. However, when discussing feline heartworms, more often than not I am asked, "Do cats even get heartworms?" Well, the answer is a resounding "yes." hcrrtworm disease affects dogs, cuts and ferrets. It is and nonspecific.

Many infected cats show no signs at all while others die suddenly without warning. Rapid breathing, increased respiratory effort, and intermittent coughing are the most common signs, but can be inconsistent findings. Other signs include: lethargy, anorexia, weight loss, panting, gagging and vomiting that is unrelated to eating. Definitive diagnosis of heart-worm disease in cats can prove challenging. Your veterinarian will probably utilize multiple diagnostic tests and may need to repeat some of them on several occasions.

Heartworm serology (antibody and antigen tests), thoracic radiography and echocardiography are the most useful tests, but have their limitations as well. Once heartworm disease has been diagnosed the cat is usually placed on a monthly preventative. Three drugs now have FDA approval for use in cats. Ivermectin is available in a chewable formulation, milbe-mycin as a flavored tablet and selamectin comes in a topical formulation. After being placed on the monthly preventative we simply wait out the adult worm's 2- to 3-year lifespan.

Often a short course of steroid therapy is used to manage respiratory signs. Yes, cats do get heartworms. And interestingly, 30-50 percent of cats diagnosed with heart-worms live indoors only. It is important to protect all of our cats from heartworm disease. Monthly preventatives can begin at 6 weeks of age and should continue throughout their life.

Clinical signs of heartworm disease in the cat can be vague and nonspecific. Many infected cats show no signs at all while others die suddenly without warning. caused by the parasite Dirofilar-ia immitis and is carried from animal to animal by mosquitoes. Baby heartworms called microfilariae are found circulating in the blood with mature worms living in the pulmonary arteries (large vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs). In the United States, heartworm disease is of major concern in the Southeast, East and Mississippi River Valley due to the warmth and humidity that provides ideal living conditions for the mosquito.

Clinical signs of heartworm disease in the cat can be vague Decorative Garden Decorative Lamps Metal Iron Garden Decor INCLUDES HARDWARE. PLANTERS PAINTED METAL DECORATIONS SECONDARY HONOR it Dlantprc INCLUDES INDIVIDUAL SHADES Essay contest BLOOMINGTON Paige Durchholtz, a senior at University High School, has won the I VI 1 1 IVI CORD COVERS Decorative Wall Decor Polystone Ceramic 8t Clocks INCLUDES MIRRORS, Garden Decor Wind Chimes ART, SHELVES MORE! Garden INCLUDES STEPPING STONES 3w Mobiles to Optimist Club of Blooming-ton's essay contest based on the theme of "I Want to Make a Difference Durchholtz won $250. Her essay was sent to the district Garden Categories Shown EL Jesse McDermeit Preiyaa Gopinath Home Accent Categories Shown 50 Off 50 Off Paige Durchholtz Rotary Club I Pi I NORMAL Normal Rotary Club has announced their Students of the Month for Febru mfW Gazing Balls 3 Decorative Rugs Decorative Pillows, Tablerunners, Throws Quilts Yard Stakes Picks Glass Garden Decor EXCLUDES $5.99 PILLOWS ary They are Preiyaa Gopinath, Normal Community High School; Jesse McDermeit, Normal Community West High School: Hone Ceramics. Pottery Polyresin INCLUDES TABLE TOP. BLUE WHITE.

ORIENTAL. MEXICAN MUCH MORE! EXCLUDES SEASONAL Wood or Bamboo Garden D6cor Decorative Glassware 5 INCLUDES GLASS WITH DECORATIVE METAL ACCENTS. ITEMS St. 99 A HIGHER Decorative Birdhouses, Feeders Cages Custom Frames (APPLIES TO FRAME ONLY) Shadow Box Frames, Display Cases Flag Cases AVAILABLE Al LISTED BELOW. I ffTV I Entire Stock of i Open Back Readymade Frames Furniture Framing Categories Shown 50 Off Posters Matted Prints 13 -Ms 30 Off INCLUDING SOLID WOOD, METAL WITH WICKER, STORAGE, TABLES, BAKER'S RACKS, CORNER RACKS, CHAIRS, STOOLS, BENCHES, PLANT STANDS, SCREENS, BISTRO SETS, CASUAL LIVING SETS.

TRUNKS, CHESTS HAMPERS All Matboard Pre-Cut Mats Photo Frames INCLUDES OUR ENTIRE SELECTION OF TABLE TOP AND NOVELTY PHOTO FRAMES AS WELL AS ALL WOODEN PHOTO STORAGE EXCLUDES CUSTOM MATS. OUR EVERYDAY LOW 1 Unfinished Flowering Greenery Bushes Including Plants Ferns rV Ornaments Decor Floral Arrangements Decorated Wreaths INCLUDES FLOWERING GREENERY. 1 MACHE II PLASTER FEATURING EVERYDAY STYLES TRUE TOUCH. EXCLUDES POTTED TREES ARRANGEMENTS. level competition, whose winner will be sent to the international-level contest.

College scholarships are available for top winners at the district and international levels GRADUATE Bradley University BLOOMINGTON Nick Lange, son of Leanne Fritz, Bloomington, and Curt Lange, Cottonwood, graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in construction Dec. 16 from the College of Engineering at Bradley University, Peoria. He has accepted a project management position in the Heavy and Highway Division of Walsh Construction of Chicago and is working in the Indianapolis, area. SCHOLARSHIPS ZetaPhi Beta BLOOMINGTON Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. of Beta Iota Zeta chapter presented scholarships during its scholarship banquet fashion show March 17.

Pamela D. Moore Young Writers Scholarships went to Courtney M. Kinard, $500, a senior at Normal Community High School; Kendra King, $300, a senior at Normal Community West High School; and Tatiana C. Gunn, $200, a senior at Bloomington High School. Kinard plans to attend Gas-den State Community College in Gasden, Ala.

King plans to attend Saint Louis University Gunn plans a career in broadcast journalism or social work. BIZ awarded Liz Halbert Edwards Legacy Scholarships for $250 to Warren C. Moore, a senior at Normal West, who plans to attend the University of Louisiana at Monroe; and Dante' Q. Shelton, a senior at BHS, who plans to attend Southern Illinois University. SCHOLARSHIP fr Easter Trees, Ornaments Picks FEATURING WOOD.

METAL MORE! Easter Baskets, Grass, Shreds Fillers Easter Crafts Decor Categories Shown 40 Off Floral Categories Shown 50 Off Ribbon Easter Plush Stuffed Plastic yaim irees Bridal Event! EXCLUDES CUSTOM MADE WEDDING ITEMS RENTALS rVV3 Animais Lazier By-the Roll INCLUDES ALL RIBBON BY THE ROLL IN OUR WEDDING. FABRIC FLORAL DEPARTMENTS INCLUDES BUNNIES. All Styles Sizes DOES NOT INCLUDE TOPIARIES OTHER TREES CHICKS. DUCKS MORE Science Tech Rock Tumbler or Inno Kids Pottery The Paper Studio Rollins Scrapbook Tote All Rocket Kits Starter Sets EXCLUDES INDIVIDUAL -Jlz. Me Hy B3 Ideas Nan, University Honq High School; Nan and Alexandra Wade, Area Vocational Center.

Gopinath, daughter of Rebecca and Kay Gopinath of Normal, is involved in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Sooiety, Mu Alpha Theta, marching band, speech team, class board, Students Embracing Diversity, peer tutoring, IMEA District Band member aricLSpanish Club. McDermeit, son of Melissa Ives and David McDermeit of Normal, is involved in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, Mu Alpha Theta, IHSA Scholar Athlete, cross country, marching band, swimming, Key Club, concert band and spring musicals. Nan, daughter of Qingmei and Xin Nan of Bloomington, is an Illinois State Scholar; National Honor Society, Key Club, history club, Culture Club, CAPTAIN, marching band and tennis. Wade, daughter of Brad and Beth Snow and Dan Wade of Bloomington, is in student council; class president, senior; class treasurer, freshman-junior years; French Club; volleyball; and prom and homecoming court. Science Olympiad BLOOMINGTON The Bloomington High School Science Olympiad team placed sixth in the regional competition March 3 and will advance to state competition in April.

Team members are James Casali, Vadehi Abhi, Carrie Pruitt, Hunter Fast, John Powell, Jayanth Madeswaren, Troy Early, Madhuri Nishtala, Raye Lefler, John Ladage, Akshaya Karthekeyan and Amanda Landers. Individual honors went to Fast with four medals, Powell with two medals, Madeswaran with two medals, Early with onjpnedal, Nishtala with one medal, Lefler with one medal, LatJage with two medals, Karthekeyan with two medals, anLanders with one medal. All Coin Stamp Collecting Supplies FEATURING -USaf-- Kroaucis wneei rt fctL; HCBSH; OU UTT ENGINES 25 Off OUR EVERYDAY LOW PRICES OUR EVERYDAY LOW PRICES Scrapbookins Categories Shown 30 Off Crafting Sale! Categories Shown WHITMAN, H.E. HARRIS CO. ULTRA OPTIX 25 Off OUR EVERYDAY LOW PRICES A II aii rg Ddii nason Jala American INCLUDING PINT QUART SIZES; REGULAR' Crafts Boxed All Craft Adhesives FEATURING ELMER'S GORILLA GLUE.

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Jewelry Shoppe Base Metal Jewelry Beads EXCLUDES STERLING SILVER riff SPOOL SrrTNLnirll'f' 1.47 1.57 SPOOL 4.47 OUR EVERYDAY LOW S.99 I I OUR EVERYDAY OUR EVERYDAY LOW PRICES LOW 1 .99 I1 OUR iSirsk EVERYDAY iECCHV LOW 1.99 .0 l)iiiwiii Artist Supplies Categories Shown 30 Off Jewelry Making Categories Shown All Master's Touch' Single Brushes Plastic Alphabet Beads 4 ai 1 All Drafting Supplies FEATURING C-THRU. STAEDTLER It MORE! Jewelry Adhesives 25Off OUR EVERYDAY LOW PRICES 50 Off 50 Off 25 Off Cedarville University NORMAL Jack Campbell of Normal has received an Effective Leader Scholarship from Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio. The one-time scholarship ranges from $1,000 to $1,500. Campbell, a senior at Calvary Baptist Academy, is the of Mark and Carol Campbell of Normal. He plans to major in youth ministries.

OUR EVERYDAY LOW PRICES OUR EVERYDAY LOW PRICES OUR EVERYDAY LOW PRICES All Packaged Cameo Soft Cameo Bulky 3.5 OZ. 3 OZ Quilt Batts Polyester Satin HOBBY LOBBY 1 00 POLYESTER SATIN SOLIDS WIDE OUR EVERYDAY LOW 2.99 PYD. "Magic Cover" Clear Vinyl Mld-Welght or Heavy-Welght KITTRICH MULTI PURPOSE CLEAR VINYL AVAILABLE IN TWO WEIGHTS 54' WIDE OUR EVERYDAY tfour Z.9 9 OUR EVERYDAY LOW 6.98-7.56 FROM Sc.30Off OUR EVERYDAY LOW PRICES I. (jff LOW 2.99 YARD Fabric Sequin Shown Fabric Pearl Cotton 88C LOW 1,29 LOW 3 5 OUR EVERYDAY Fashion Categories 30 Pearl Cotton Balls 1.441 14x18 Fabrics 2.22 OUR EVERYDAY LOW 3.99 fU Sequin Trim 81 Off OUR EVERYDAY LOW PRICE Icelandic fX Olkifl UUK fcvtKTUAY LOW 2 29 Rayon Floss 54C 'Turnpike Church' to lose steps to Pa. road expansion Jewels Yarn All Dritz Sewing Quilting Notions 50 Off OUR EVERYDAY LOW 99c Light Effects Flosses 1.17 I OUR EVERYDAY LOW I 99 14x18 Fabrics 3.22 OUR EVERYDAY LOW 4.99 m99(.

Spring variations rioss i 54" Home Dec Fabric I Prints. Solids EXCLUDES PREVIOUSLY REDUCED ITEMS 1 OUR EVERYDAY LOW 2 99-59 99 PYD. OUR EVERYDAY LOW I 1 9 OUR EVERYDAY Apparel Fabrics 20x30 Fabrics 4.88 OUR EVERYDAY LOW 7 99 Linen Floss LOW S.U OUR EVERYDAY LOW PRICES OUR EVERYDAY LOW PRICES GOOD MARCH 19 THROUGH MARCH 24. 2007 SALES SUBJECT TO SUPPLY IN STOCK SELECTION MAY VARY BY STORE THIS AD DOES NOT APPLY TO PRE-REDUCED ITEMS NORMAL -2bbv; lobby; "We've had people from all over the world," said past parish council president Tom Wambaugh. Church officials believe the steps, built half a century ago, were part of a deal that required graves of Carmelite priests who lived in the monastery to be moved.

The pact, however, likely was verbal because no written agreement has been found. Even if one is found, it's unlikely the steps will remain. Having 'steps so close to the highway is too risky, a spokesman said. They encourage drivers to slow down or pull over on a highway where the speed limit is 65 mph. The steps are slated to be removed in 2009.

ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW BALTIMORE, Pa. A popular roadside attraction known as the "Turnpike Church" will soon be a thing of the past because of a highway upgrade. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission plans to remove the steps leading to St. John the Baptist Church, about 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. The two sets of concrete stairs, which climb out of the Pennsylvania Turnpike on both sides to the church, will be removed as part of an eight-mile upgrade of the roadway.

The steps have been a curiosity for generations of motorists. Over the years, countless traveler? have pulled over to walk to the-church. COP 301 Veterans Parkway Shoppes at College Hills 8 in RedMnakl i oe uied In, I rc www.hobbylobby.com P'ed. ch, March i "10c iOQ? I.