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How Do Dogs Get Heartworm?
What is Heartworm?
Heartworm is a serious, potentially fatal disease in pets, especially dogs. It is caused by foot-long worms (heartworms) that live in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels, causing severe lung disease, heart failure and damage to other organs in the body.
How Are Dogs Infected With Heartworm?
Dogs are not naturally infected with heartworm. Instead, they get infected through mosquito bites. Here’s how it happens:
- An infected animal, commonly a dog, fox, coyote, or wolf, has microfilariae (heartworm larvae) in its bloodstream.
- A mosquito bites the infected animal and ingests the microfilariae during a blood meal.
- The microfilariae mature to the infective larval stage within the mosquito.
- When the mosquito bites another dog, it injects the infective larvae into the dog’s skin.
The Life Cycle of Heartworms
The life cycle of heartworms is complex and involves different stages. Here’s a simplified version:
- Mosquito bites an infected animal and picks up microfilariae.
- Microfilariae mature into infective larvae within the mosquito.
- Mosquito bites a dog and injects the infective larvae.
- Larvae grow, develop, and migrate in the body over a period of several months to become sexually mature heartworms.
- Female heartworms release their offspring into the dog’s bloodstream, completing the life cycle.
Treatment and Prevention of Heartworm in Dogs
Treatment of heartworm infection can be risky for the dog. The best approach is prevention. There are several FDA-approved heartworm preventatives available for dogs. They come in various forms:
| Form | Examples |
|---|---|
| Oral | Heartgard, Interceptor |
| Topical | Advantage Multi, Revolution |
| Injectable | Proheart |
Remember, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian to choose the best preventative for your dog.
The Impact of Heartworm on Your Dog’s Health
Heartworm disease causes lasting damage to the heart, lungs and arteries. Even after heartworms are gone, the damage they’ve caused remains. This damage can affect a dog’s health and quality of life long after the parasites are gone. Therefore, prevention is the best option.
FAQ
Can humans get heartworms from dogs?
No, heartworms are species-specific. They only infect dogs, cats, and other mammals, but not humans.
Can indoor dogs get heartworms?
Yes, mosquitoes can get indoors, and therefore indoor dogs are also at risk.
Is heartworm disease painful for dogs?
Yes, as the disease progresses, dogs can suffer from heart failure and lung damage which can be painful.
How long do heartworms live in a dog?
If untreated, heartworms can live for 5 to 7 years in dogs.
Is heartworm disease contagious?
No, heartworm disease is not contagious. It is only spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.
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