Heartworms and Fast Facts

I have to admit I am a shoe collector – but not a hoarder! When there is a spare moment, I enjoy walking through shoe departments to see the latest footie fashions. The self-serve discount footwear spaces at Belk’s and DSW are the best as they offer limitless opportunities to “cat walk” an assortment of fashionable treasures. The fact my feet resemble the length of U-boats helps to improve the selection of end of season goodies. Unfortunately, I do not wear a large percentage of the shoes in my closet. For a variety of reasons they are too tall, too painful, or something awkward once I leave the carpeted areas of the stores. Sometimes I've purchased foolishly!

So what is the relation to today’s topic on heartworm preventative? Perhaps it is the foolishness that only 1/3 of pets are administered their preventative on a regular schedule (even when appropriately purchased)! This is dangerous in that in some areas of the Southeastern United States, 76% of the mosquitoes carry heartworms. As a consequence, 250,000 dogs are estimated to be treated every year in the United States for heartworms (a completely preventable disease). At any one time, the American Heartworm Society estimates over 1million dogs in the USA are infected with heartworms. 

WHAT ARE SOME NEW CARRIERS OF HEARTWORMS BESIDES DOGS? 

Coyotes, as these are in every county of North Carolina. In addition, wolves, foxes, and ferrets are carriers. Cats cannot give heartworms to other animals. 

FOR THE HEARTWORM TO DEVELOP IN A MOSQUITO, HOW MANY WARM DAYS ARE NEEDED?

Two weeks and over 76 degrees is essential. If the temperature is less than 57 degrees the development stops. This means Wake County crawl spaces, porches, garages, and home interiors have the potential to harbor mosquito carrying heartworms year round.   

DO HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE PRODUCTS HELP CONTROL OTHER INFECTIONS SUCH AS ROUNDWORMS THAT ARE AT RISK FOR HUMAN EXPOSURE?

Yes. Many products contain protection against intestinal parasites, and some topical products include flea control. Note in the USA, people testing positive for roundworm exposure is approximately 13.9%. 

WHAT DO HEARTWORM BLOOD TESTS IN DOGS DETECT? 

They detect the protein (antigen) of the female heartworm uterus. It is possible if only male heartworms are presented (rare), there could be a false negative test.

CAN A DOG THAT HAS ADULT HEARTWORMS SELF INFECT itself with the microfilariae babies produced by the adult heartworms located in the heart?

No. Baby heartworms have to pass through a mosquito to mature INTO the infective stage called microfilariae. Heartworms do NOT lay eggs. The baby heartworms may live up to two years in their host. 

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE BETWEEN A HEARTWORM CARRYING MOSQUITO BITING A DOG AND A POSTIVE HEARTWORM INFECTION?

Six to seven months.

WHAT ARE SOME MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CAT AND DOG HEARTWORM DISEASE?

Infected cats have few adult heartworms and often present for acute allergic reactions or death with little warning. There is no effective adult heartworm treatment in cats like there is in dogs. Dogs tend to have a more protracted course of infection and there is a treatment for adult infections. 

Other interesting facts:

1.     Male dogs are four times more likely than female dogs to be infected.

2.     Infections are five times more common in outdoor dogs.

3.     Female heartworms  are 10 to 12 inches, and males are 5- 7 inches

Betsy Sigmon DVM, Diplomate ABVP canine & feline

Comforts Animal Hospital

Cary, NC

Dear Clients:

Be sure to check your supplies of heartworm and flea/tick control and contact the front desk team at Creature Comforts for refills. Heartworms is a completely preventative disease in dogs and cats!