Heartworms can be found all over the world, but they favor warm southern climates. Heartworms are a problem in most of the United States and because they can infect dogs, cats, coyotes, foxes, wolves and other animals they are very difficult to treat and contain.
The life cycle of the heartworm begins in a mosquito. The mosquito performs the role of both carrier and host for the larva of this parasite by picking up the larva from an infected animal and depositing into a healthy animal when it sucks blood.

Once the larva enters the new animal it burrows into the dog in search for blood vessels. The larva then enters these blood vessels and makes its way to the heart using the circulation of the blood through the animal’s system. Once it enters the heart, the larva attaches itself to the heart muscle and begins to grown. Heartworms can reach lengths of 12 inches and resemble cooked spaghetti. With time, as they increase in size and number, heartworms impede blood circulation to the heart and cause circulatory and respiratory complications.

As the heartworms mature they begin laying eggs, this process happens within six to eight months and a single female worm can lay thousands of eggs a day. The larva then enter the arteries and travel to the outer areas of the animal’s body ready to become picked up by a mosquito and transported to a new host.

Due to the fact that many wild animals are infected with heartworm it is very difficult to control the spread of this nasty parasite.
Luckily there are many treatments that can be given to dogs to protect them from infection. These protective treatments come in different forms; there are pills and topical applications which can protect your dog even if he is bitten by a mosquito carrying the infection.

Infected dogs can also be treated if the infection hasn’t caused long term damage.
Symptoms of heartworm infection include:

• Coughing, wheezing or retching
• Intolerance to exercise
• Abnormal lung sounds
• Lethargy
• Loss of consciousness

Symptoms may not be noticeable until the infestation is severe and this is why it is very important to put your dog on a protective program from the age of seven months. If you are traveling to an area where heartworms are prevalent you should start your dog on a heartworm prevention treatment at least two months before you travel. Your vet should be able to advise you on the best protection options available.

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