HEARTWORM

SUMMER IS HEARTWORM SEASON,

AND BOTH DOGS AND CATS ARE AT RISK. MWI HAS EVERYTHING YOU NEED

FOR PREVENTION ANDTREATMENT.

HEARTWORM FACTS

- Heartworms are parasitic worms (about the diameter of thin spaghetti) that normally live free-floating in the right ventricle of the heart and nearby blood vessels.

-The parasites are transmitted from one animal to another by mos­ quitoes, which are the only known vectors of heartworm.

- In addition to domestic dogs and cats, heartworms can infect more than 30 species of animals (including coyotes, foxes, wolves and other wild can ids, wild felids, ferrets, sea lions, and others) as well as humans.

- Heartworm is diagnosed with blood tests, and/or X-rays, along with other tests.

- Heartworms are not detectable with the commonly used antigen blood test until they are sexually mature (about 6 months after entering the patient). Female worms must be present for accurate test results.

- Heartworm has been diagnosed in all 50 states as well as world­ wide. The highest infection rates in dogs in the U.S. are observed within 150 miles of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and along the Mississippi River and its major tributaries.

-In cats, one worm can cause sudden death or acute respiratory signs that are indistinguishable from asthma without a

medical workup.

- Any area where dogs can get heartworm, cats can get them as well. The current rate of diagnosis ranges from 5% to 20% of that of dogs in the same area.

-The detection of adult heartworms in cats can be difficult and tests are not 100% reliable.

Sources: American Heartworm Society, www.heartwormsociety. org and ThePetCenter.com, www.thepetcenter.com.

HEARTWORM INFECTION 2001

©American Heartworm Society

Messenger I July 2006