Heartworm Disease is a serious condition that can harm animals like dogs and cats, is a condition that also can lead to serious damages in the pet’s organs, and is very popular in the United States. This disease can be transmitted only by a mosquito bite and is not contagious to another pet’s, not even humans. However, they can get it if they are bitten by an infected mosquito. This condition can be treated with different types of medications, but the most important is to get the knowledge about how this dangerous disease is developing and how it can affect our pet’s health. Also can destroy the dog or cat immunologic system causing the death of this same, so learning about this dangerous disease many people can get the requirements, knowledge, and practice on how to prevent and treat this illness.

Heartworm Disease
Canine and Feline Heartworm Disease is caused by the Filarioid Nematode Dirofilaria Immitis. The parasite can be found in warm climates worldwide and is widespread through the United States. This disease can be fatal for pets and can be develop quickly causing different symptoms that easily can be confused with any other diseases. This disease can be contracted by a mosquito bite, affect Dogs and Cats, and can be treated and prevented.
First, the life cycle of Dirofilaria Immitis begins when a female mosquito bites an infected animal ingesting microfilariae (Larvae) circulating in the bloodstream. Microfilariae develop within the mosquito, and then this mosquito bites an uninfected dog or cat. The rate of development dependent on the ambient temperature the animal lives in. Then the larvae continue their development in the subcutaneous tissues of the animal, migrating to the abdomen and thorax occurring between 50-70 days post-infection. The larvae then penetrate veins and are carried to the heart arriving 70-90 days post-infection. After reaching the heart, the worms continued to grow, worms become sexually mature at about 120 days post-infection, before mating and producing more microfilariae (larvae). Dogs are considered the most attentive host of heartworm, whereas cats are less suitable host. In cats with heartworm infections, microfilariae are detectable around seven to nine months after contracting the infection (BARK, 2011, p1, 2, Para 1, 2).
However, microfilaria occurs in only small percentage of cats with mature heartworms. Adult worms only survive between two to four years in cats, compares five to seven years in dogs, making this one more susceptible to the disease and more candidate to developing this disease slower but more aggressive because can destroyed more organs on the dogs system. “The presence of adult worms in the heart leads to thickening of vessel walls and subsequent pulmonary hypertension” (BARK, 2011, p2, Par 2). Changes in the vessels of cats infected with heartworm include fibrosis, hypertrophy thrombosis, and in both, dogs and cats, the hypertension can eventually lead to right side heart failure. Pulmonary damage occurs as a result of thrombosis caused by the dead worms and Larvae in the system. This can also lead to severe lung damage in cats too. Not all worms successfully migrate to the heart; Worms are occasionally found in different locations such as the abdominal cavity, eyes, spinal cord, and brain. The disease in dogs is usually slowly progressive; with the right sided heart failure we can notice lethargy, cough and abdominal distension. Furthermore, Dogs and Cats are not the only species susceptible to heartworm infection. This infection or disease have been reported in wild felids, like the African leopard, tiger, snow leopard and African lion; ferrets and wild must lids like monkeys and rodents. However, dogs are the most frequently infected by this disease. Like I mention Dirofilaria Immitis can be found in warm climates worldwide “in the United States, the prevalence of canine and feline heartworm varies from state to state but positive antigen test results have been recorded in dogs in all 50 states” (BARK, p 4, par 3). Feline heartworm prevalence is much more difficult to be acutely estimated, given that infected cats often have no sings and that they may die suddenly without sings of heartworm infection. “From samples submitted to a commercial diagnostic testing service, the prevalence of feline heartworm infection in the United States has been estimated between 1.1-8 percent using antibody tests” (BARK, 2011,p 6). Moreover, Because of the differing nature of clinical disease in dogs and cats, the recommended treatment differs between the two species. The primary goals of treatment in both dogs and cats are to improve their clinical condition. “Adulticidal therapy with melarsomine dihydrochloride is standard for dogs and melarsomine is the only drug approved according with the U.S Food and drug administration (FDA) for killing adult heartworms” (BARK, 2011.p 7, par 2). Treatment of cats with ivermectin is possible, but adulticidal therapy is cats are still considered being a last resort. Diagnostic test may be performed first to detect the disease and also veterinary can perform thoracic radiographs to see how infected the heart is with the worms. “Stabilization may include corticosteroids, intravenous, fluids, bronchodilators and supplemental oxygen” (BARK, 2011, p 9, par 3). This treatment can take up to 6 months depends on the severity of the disease. Beginning with 30 days of corticosteroids and then 2 months of intravenous injections. After this treatment; 2 to 3 months on continuous testing until heartworm test become negative. The Prevention of canine and feline heartworm disease includes the regular administration of preventive drugs and surveillance (regular testing). Is recommendable that dogs be started on heartworm preventives by 8 weeks of age, also recommended testing on the age (puppy or adult), Origin (owner or shelter), and the unknown history of the individual patient. “Drugs available for the prevention of heartworm infections on dogs and cats are the ivermectin, milbemycin oxime, moxidectin and selamectin.” (Plumbs, 2011). Most of those drugs can be given by monthly doses, “Annual testing of all dogs on heartworm prevention is recommended. Talk to dog’s Veterinarian about the best time for your dog’s annual heartworm test” (FDA, 2010, P 2, Par, 7).
By understanding, even if a mosquito bites Dogs and Cats, this one can also vary in their susceptibility and response to infection; the consequences of heartworm disease are serious. A variety of products are available for heartworm prevention, we can find over the counter and prescribed, but many are very effective against other ectoparasites. When they are used in accordance with the manufactures directions; all those products formulated specifically for companion animals are safe, and the most important is that help your pet from getting sick, and having to deal with this dangerous disease, we can also find preventive monthly injections that are more easily for that owners who have some trouble medicating their pets. So keeping a good environment to prevent any mosquito bite for our dogs or cats, and using the adequate monthly treatment will be the best prevention for our pet’s health.

REFERENCES
BARK. (2011). Banfield Applied Research & Knowledge. Retrieved from http://www.banfield.com/Banfield/files/59/5906a327-4e82-49f7-9432-e7da7fc568a9.pdf on July 31, 2013
FDA. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2010). Keep the Worms out of Your Pet’s Heart. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/UCM207235.pdf on July22, 2013. Plumbs, D.C (2011). Veterinary Handbook. (7th Ed.). Ames, Iowa, Blackwell Publishing (pp.753-1225)