{"id":1200,"date":"2018-01-09T06:31:06","date_gmt":"2018-01-09T06:31:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.canadavetexpress.com\/blog\/?p=1200"},"modified":"2018-02-13T08:19:07","modified_gmt":"2018-02-13T08:19:07","slug":"an-introduction-to-heartworm-disease-in-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/canadavetexpress.improvepetcare.com\/an-introduction-to-heartworm-disease-in-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"An Introduction To Heartworm Disease in Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Dirofilaria<\/a><\/p>\n

Dirofilaria immitis<\/i><\/span>, the parasite causing heartworm disease in pets found safe breeding ground in the heart, lungs and blood vessels of the affected species. It spreads from one host to another through the bite of the mosquito. Though found commonly in dogs, it has not spared cats, wolves, jackals and under rare circumstances, the <\/span>Homo sapiens<\/i><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mosquitoes play an important role in the spreading of the heartworm disease from one host to another. First, they infect themselves with an immature worm called <\/span>microfilariae<\/i><\/span>, when they bite an infected animal. This tiny worm turned into a larva inside the mosquito. Now, the same infected mosquito bites to transmit the larva into the body of another animal.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Heartworms if not checked, can prove fatal to dogs. An adult worm present in canine can block the various blood vessels leading from the heart to the lungs. In severe cases, it can cause heart failure and damage to other organs in the body.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Heartworm Signs<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

In the earlier stages of the disease, the pet would show no symptoms at all. Later the symptoms will appear as-<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n