What is Heartworm Disease?
Heartworm disease is caused by a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis, which lives in the right side of the heart and the adjacent blood vessels. Its presence in these blood vessels causes cardiovascular weakness, compromised lung incapacity, and eventual death. Heartworm disease occurs primarily in dogs but can occur in cats and other animals on rare occasions. Heartworm is transmitted from dog to dog (and cat to cat) by mosquitoes. Over 70 species of mosquitoes have already been implicated. Transmission of the parasite occurs as follows: when a mosquito draws blood from a dog or cat infected with heartworm, it takes with it a number of small immature worms called microfilaria. Once inside the mosquito, the microfilaria develop into larvae. Later, when the mosquito bites a new victim, the larvae are injected and that dog or cat becomes infected. It takes about six and a half to seven months for the larvae to mature and start producing thousands of new microfilaria inside the circulator
Heartworm disease is a parasitic infection of dogs and sometimes cats, in which worms live within the heart. It is spread by mosquitoes which transfer the microscopic larval form of the worm (microfilaria) from one animal to another when they bite. Once the worms are in the heart, they can damage the heart and cause heart failure.
All dog owners should be aware of the serious parasitic condition called heartworm disease. These parasites do not live in the intestinal tract; they seek out the heart. They live in the chambers of the heart and damage the valves and the blood vessels leading to the lungs. This parasite is carried by mosquitoes and can be found in almost every state of the U.S.
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms living in the arteries of the lungs and in the right side of the heart of dogs, cats and other species of mammals. Heartworm infected dogs showing no signs or mild signs have a high success rate with treatment. Patients with evidence of more severe heartworm disease can be successfully treated, but the possibility of complications and mortality are greater. While treatment of canine heartworm disease is usually successful, prevention of the disease is much safer and more economical. There are a variety of options for preventing heartworm infection. Heartworm disease is transmitted to dogs and cats via mosquitoes. So, if you live in Texas, you MUST give your dog or cat heartworm preventative medication (such as Heartgard). For more information on Heartworm Disease, please read our Heartworm Disease flyer, or visit the Heartworm Society Web site.
Heartworm disease is transmitted to dogs and cats via mosquitoes. The worm eventually directly invades the heart and is fatal if it goes undiagnosed and untreated. We offer various products to prevent heartworms including Heartgard (by subscription to VetCentric), Interceptor, Sentinel, and Revolution. It is recommended and required to have a negative blood test result before the dog can be started on the preventative. Cats can be administered Heartgard without a blood test. Interceptor can also be administered to cats, although this manufacturer recommends testing prior to administration of the product.
