Essay On Heartworm Disease

Heartworm disease was first recognized in dogs more than 100 years ago and is still prevalent among dogs and found in cats worldwide. Nature’s pest, the mosquito, is the cause of Dirofilaria immitis. At least 70 species of mosquitoes can serve as intermediate hosts, of which the most common vectors are Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex (Woodhaven Labs). When taking a blood meal from microfilaremic host --like wolves, coyotes, foxes or dogs-- the adult female mosquito becomes infected with the microfilariae that becomes a larva within 10-14 days. The mosquito then deposits this parasite on the surface of the animal’s skin. The larvae enter the host through the mosquitos bite wound. Once inside it takes 6 months for these larvae to become adults in the main pulmonary arteries and right ventricle of the heart. At maturity, heartworms can live inside the host for five to seven years. Because these worms can live for so long, each mosquito season can lead to a growing number of worms in the infected dog.
Heartworms infection is a life-threatening disease. It begins by affecting the blood vessels along the route between the heart and lungs. This is called pulmonary vascular disease. It then
So there really isn’t a safe-zone. Mosquitos blown by wind contribute to widespread-ness of this infection. Another factor that greatly affects heartworm progression is hurricanes. After Hurricane Katrina, 250,000 pets, many of them infected with heartworms, were “adopted” and shipped throughout the country. Multiple variables, from climate variations to the presence of wildlife carriers, cause rates of infections to vary dramatically from year to year—even within communities. And because infected mosquitoes can come inside, both outdoor and indoor pets are at risk (American Heartworm Society). For that reason, you should (1) get your pet tested every 12 months for heartworm and (2) give your pet heartworm preventive 12 months a