Are your dogs protected against heartworms?
Heartworms were first diagnosed in 1856 and the disease is seen across the country. The American Heartworm Society and Merial partnered to survey 12,000 veterinary clinics across the United States. The survey found that more than 250,000 cases of heartworm were reported in 2004. (www.heartwormsociety.org) |
What is a Heartworm?
Heartworms are a parasitic worm whose scientific name is Dirofilaria immitis.
How does my dog get it?
It is transmitted through a mosquito bite in fact if the mosquito has the larvae present inside, a dog can become infected with just one bite! What is the heartworm life cycle? Microfilariae mature into infective juveniles inside the mosquito. The infected juvenile is transmitted into the dog (or cat or human) when the mosquito bites the dog. The juveniles migrate to the right side of the heart and mature into adult worms that live primarily in the pulmonary arteries. The adult worms sizes are as follows: females are often 6 14 inches long and the males are often about half the size of the female. The adult worms reproduce (as early as 2-3 months of infection) and the females produce microfilariae which can then be ingested by more mosquitos to continue the life cycle. |
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| Heartworm in a dog's heart |
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What kind of mosquito?
Unfortunately as many as 30 different species of moquitos can carry heartworms. There may be up to 300 adult heartworms in a single dog and the worms can live as long as 7 years and in their time produce literally millions of microfilariae.
Am I at risk?
From larvae carrying mosquitoes, yes humans are at risk; but not from a dog who is infected. An infected dog CANNOT transmit the disease directly to another dog nor human. If you are concerned about yourself or other human members of your family, please contact your human physician at once.
Who else gets heartworm?
Canine (dogs, wolves, coyotes, fox) are the heartworms host which is needed for reproduction. Other animals may be affected with the worms being located in unusual locations (aberrant migration). Other animals that have been shown to get heartworm are: domestic cats, bobcat, jaguar, tiger, muskrat, raccoon, ferret, otter, bear, horse, orangutan, gibbon, sea lion, and man. | |
| What are the symptoms?
The symptoms are created from valve interference, clogging of the pulmonary arteries, blood clot formation and reduction of blood supply to other organs. The organs affected include: the heart, the lungs, the liver and the kidneys. The lung and liver damage is often a result from the microfilariae obstructing small blood vessels and capillaries.The most common signs include:
- A soft, dry, chronic cough Shortness of breath
- Listlessness, depression, nervousness
- Loss of stamina and weakness
- Exercise intolerance
- Weight loss
- Anemia
- Heart murmur and abnormal breath sounds.
Heart attack and spontaneous death have also been seen. |
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