About heartworm disease
Heartworms are common in dogs and an increasingly recognized problem in cats. Heartworm disease is very serious and can be fatal. Through use of medications, heartworm is preventable. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes and, once mature, take residence in the heart and large vessels of the lungs. The adult female heartworm can measure from 25 – 31 centimetres in length. The males are a little more than half as long and their tails are spirally coiled.
How will heartworms affect a dog?
The heartworm larvae, deposited by the feeding mosquito, eventually migrate to the chambers of the heart or into the vessels of the lungs. Once established in the right side of the heart, the worms affect blood flow throughout the body. Heartworm infection can affect many different organs of the dog - heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver. A veterinarian may suspect that a dog has been infected if an active animal tires easily or shows shortness of breath or coughing.
How will heartworms affect a cat?
The heartworm larvae, which enter the cat’s bloodstream after it is bitten by an infected mosquito, eventually migrate to the heart or vessels of the lungs. Here the larvae cause a severe reaction, resulting in lack of oxygen exchange and cough. Symptoms of infection are variable but most often are related to the respiratory system. A veterinarian may suspect that a cat has been infected in cases of coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, vomiting or weight loss. Sudden death of the cat may occur and is typically associated with the death of a worm.
Can humans contract heartworm disease?
Isolated cases of human infection have been reported, however, heartworm disease is generally not considered a risk to human health.
To see the life cycle of heartworms, click here.
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