For some pet owners located in areas with historically low heartworm infection rates, this might be new information. The current guidelines from the American Heartworm Society recommend antigen and microfilaria testing be performed annually on all dogs, regardless of geographic location. We do know the earlier heartworm infections are detected in your pet, the better the chance of recovery with fewer complications. immitis.Įven among heartworm experts, recommendations about diagnostic testing vary. The discovery of Wolbachia was a crucial factor in improving heartworm treatment efficacy and the successful elimination of D. ![]() Two factors influence larval molts and maturation: ambient temperature and the presence of Wolbachia pipientis, a bacterium that lives within the heartworm and is needed for normal maturation of heartworm larvae. Unlike dogs, most worms in cats do not survive to the adult stage, and infected cats are less likely sources of additional infections. Microfilariae detection is a key component of diagnosis (more on this later).Īdult heartworms have a life expectancy of 5-7 years in dogs, and up to 2-3 years in cats. Microfilariae can be found in the blood of infected pets as early as six months post-infection, although in most dogs, microfilariae are found seven to nine months post-infection. Ultimately, the mature adult heartworms reach the blood vessels of the heart and lungs. The transmitted larvae eventually enter the dog’s or cat’s body and finish maturing in their pet host. Microfilariae are then ingested by female mosquitoes during feeding, undergo further maturation in the mosquito, and then are passed on when the mosquito feeds again. These tiny microfilariae are released into the dog’s blood system. If both male and female heartworms are present in an infected dog, they can mate and produce offspring. The larvae continue to mature on the skin, sometimes for several months.Īlthough dogs and cats share some similarities when it comes to the heartworm lifecycle, there are important differences, too. We now know that heartworm larvae (microfilariae) are deposited onto the surface of a dog’s or cat’s skin when the mosquito feeds. Until recently, heartworms were thought to be transmitted directly into the pet’s bloodstream via a mosquito bite. ![]() Heartworms ( Dirofilaria immitis) were first identified in animals over 400 years ago.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |