Do Mosquitoes Give Dogs Heartworms?
WouterHaving a dog that is infected with heartworms is a serious concern. Symptoms can include weight loss, coughing, vomiting, and lethargy. If your dog has these symptoms, you should have a blood test done to determine whether he or she has heartworms.
Heartworm disease in dogs is caused by a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis. These worms are a blood parasite that affect the heart and lungs of your pet. It is also a vector-borne disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. The parasite enters the bloodstream through a bite wound and migrates to the dog’s heart.
When a mosquito feeds on an infectious canine host, it picks up microscopic worms called microfilariae. These larvae take six to seven months to mature into adult heartworms. These heartworms live in your dog’s heart and lungs.
Adult heartworms grow to about 12 inches in length. They cause lung damage, organ infections, and congestive heart failure. They also cause caval syndrome, which causes blockage of the major arteries. Surgical removal of the worms is the only way to cure this disease.
A heartworm-positive dog may have between 100 and 250 worms in his or her body. Infected dogs may not show any symptoms until the disease has caused severe damage to their heart and lungs. If you live in an area that has high disease incidence, you may want to consider a heartworm prevention program for your pet.
The American Heartworm Society (AHS) recommends year-round prevention for all dogs. This can be done by using mosquito repellents and reducing the number of mosquitoes in your yard.
