What Are Heartworms?
 

             There are three different forms of Heartworms. All are the same organism, but are different sizes, shapes and are found in different parts of the body.

            Adult Heartworms are 6 – 14” in length and live in the right atrium and ventricle of the heart. They can also be found leading from and to the right side of the heart and can infect with a population ranging from one to several hundred parasites. 

            Microfilaria are the immature offspring of the adult male and female Heartworms. They live and circulate throughout the body’s blood stream. Larvae migrate to the body’s organs, muscles and subcutaneous tissues on their way to the heart.

How Can My Dog Get Heartworm?

             Heartworm is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes.  When a female mosquito carrying the disease bites an unprotected dog, the Heartworm parasite enters into its tissue.

        Heartworm disease is difficult to diagnose, as signs are not usually present until the pets condition is severe. Within a 4 to 6 month period after being infected with the parasite. Adult Heartworms take up residence in your pet’s heart. If enough worms are present, the heart must work extra hard just to pump blood through the plugged up arteries. The adult Heartworms then begin to grow and reproduce, releasing microfilaria into your dog's bloodstream.