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Heartworm
Heartworm disease is caused by the parasitic worm Dirofilaria immitis, transmitted by mosquitoes. Adult worms live in the heart and pulmonary arteries, causing progressive damage.
Key Facts
- Transmitted by mosquito bites; prevalent in warm/humid regions
- Dogs: primary host; worms can grow 12 inches long; dozens may infest a single dog
- Cats: atypical host; usually only 1-3 worms but even one can be fatal
- Dogs: treatment with melarsomine (adulticide) is available but carries risk
- Cats: no approved adulticide treatment; management is supportive
- Prevention: monthly preventive medication is critical (ivermectin, milbemycin, selamectin, moxidectin)
- Signs: cough, exercise intolerance, congestive-heart-failure; cats may show asthma-like signs
- Diagnosis: antigen test (dogs), antibody test + X-rays (cats)
- Species: dogs and cats
ความเชื่อมโยง (5)
โรคที่เกี่ยวข้อง
Congestive Heart Failureโรค
Advanced heartworm disease leads to CHF
Glomerulonephritisโรค
Heartworm is a source of chronic inflammation causing kidney protein loss
Heart Diseaseโรค
Heartworms cause progressive cardiac and pulmonary damage
Pulmonary Hypertensionโรค
Worms in pulmonary arteries cause pulmonary hypertension