Do Mosquitoes Cause Heartworms in Dogs?
WouterUnlike humans, dogs are not directly infected with heartworms. However, they can be affected by their presence. There are several ways to diagnose and treat heartworms in dogs. A veterinarian will determine whether your dog is infected by taking a detailed blood sample. The results of this test can help your veterinarian determine how many heartworms are present. The more heartworms your dog has, the more complicated the treatment may be.
In addition to a blood sample, a veterinarian can perform a “snap” test. This test uses a small drop of blood to detect a specific heartworm protein. The test is effective in detecting the most common heartworm worms, but can provide a false positive or negative result if your dog has recently been infected with heartworms.
A serological test for adult heartworms is another way to detect the presence of these worms. This test detects proteins produced by adult heartworms.
There are two main types of heartworms in dogs. These are the adult heartworms and the immature microfilaria. The adult heartworms are the ones that live in the heart and lungs of your dog. These worms can be up to 12 inches long.
The microfilaria, on the other hand, live in the bloodstream and lungs of your dog. These wriggly worms take about five to seven months to mature into adult heartworms.
Once your dog becomes infected with heartworms, it is important to prevent them from spreading. This can be accomplished by using an effective heartworm preventive.
