Part 1 – What is heartworm and how does it affect your dog

A Heartworm is a deadly parasite that is transmitted only by mosquitos.  They pick up mic which pick up microfilaria that circulates in the blood of infected animals.

Dogs are considered the primary heartworm hosts, but these parasites can also affect other mammals, including cats, ferrets, and, in rare cases, humans.

There are treatments available for dogs, but prevention is the wisest approach to dealing with heartworms.

What Is Heartworm Disease?

The canine heartworm does not spread from dog to dog, but requires an intermediary, the mosquito, to infect new hosts.

When a mosquito bites a dog, the worm enters while the mosquito is getting its meal.  The worms travel from the blood to the heart.  After a few months, they will begin to grow on the right side of the heart. They get about a foot in length after 6 months and can live for about 7 years.  They constantly produce offspring which can cause inflammation of the lungs, heart and arteries.

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