Are you aware that over one million canines currently suffer from heartworm disease? This minuscule parasite can cause severe illness in dogs, and without proper treatment, it proves fatal. Heartworm impacts both canines and felines while threatening wildlife including coyotes, foxes, and sea lions throughout the United States, including Hawaii. Animals residing in warmer climates worldwide face this threat as well. April marks Heartworm Awareness Month, and throughout this article we’ll discuss heartworms, their transmission methods, and protective measures available to pet owners.
Understanding heartworms
Heartworm, scientifically known as Dirofilaria immitis, is a parasitic roundworm transmitted between hosts via mosquito bites. The heartworm measures roughly a foot long and resembles a wriggling thread. Heartworms inhabit the cardiac and pulmonary systems of our pets, along with the pulmonary artery connected to the heart. Without detection and treatment, heartworm proves deadly by causing cardiac failure. These parasites can also compromise organs throughout your pet’s system, but here’s encouraging news…heartworm disease is entirely preventable. Recognize that although you cannot shield your dog or cat from every mosquito bite, you can protect their wellbeing by stopping heartworm larvae from initiating and finishing their developmental cycle inside your pet’s system.
Heartworm in Canines
Heartworms frequently occur in canines, meaning infection allows the heartworm to establish residence within them and the developmental cycle commences. The heartworm reaches adulthood, reproduces, and generates offspring while inhabiting an animal’s body. Without detection and intervention, heartworm populations continue expanding. As many as one hundred heartworms have been discovered residing within canine bodies, inflicting harm on the cardiac system, respiratory organs, and cardiac arteries. Following treatment, a dog’s health may remain compromised throughout their remaining lifespan, diminishing the dog’s life quality.
Heartworm in Felines
Heartworm in felines differs from heartworm disease in canines. Cats don’t serve as typical heartworm hosts, and most parasites developing inside a cat fail to reach adult maturity. Cats typically harbor just one to three worms, and post-treatment, cats continue living normal, healthy existences.
Transmission of heartworm
Heartworm spreads when a mosquito feeds and extracts blood from an infected creature. The mosquito acquires the immature worms circulating in the bloodstream. These parasites, or larvae, mature and develop over 10 to 14 days. When the mosquito feeds on another dog, cat, or creature, the developing larvae transfer onto that animal’s skin and penetrate the host via the mosquito puncture. Following this, roughly six months pass before larvae develop into mature heartworms. Once heartworms reach adulthood, they survive for five to seven years in canines and two to three years in felines. The heartworm’s extended lifespan allows them to inflict damage annually if your pet remains untreated.
Canine Treatment
Heartworm in canines typically receives treatment through three melasormine injections. The initial injection eliminates mature heartworms, the subsequent injection, a preventative measure, destroys immature heartworms, and the final injection—doxycycline combined with prednisone—minimizes the likelihood your dog experiences adverse reactions from heartworm treatment medications.
More advanced heartworm cases frequently require surgical intervention. This procedure extracts the parasites residing in the cardiac system or respiratory organs of the infected canine.
Feline Treatment
Because cats don’t function as natural heartworm hosts, no medication exists on the market for treating heartworm. The condition typically resolves naturally without intervention over time. The medications employed for canine heartworm treatment lack sufficient safety profiles for feline use.
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Happy Tails!
