Heartworm is a parasitic worm that has been plaguing pet dogs over the years and their owners have been losing sleep over it. The worm infects mostly mammals which include mainly dogs, ferrets and cats. 

Mosquitoes are the carriers of this parasite and one bite of an infected mosquito might later have some serious ramifications if preventive measures are not taken in time.  

The American Heartworm Association says that the process starts with a mosquito bite to an infected pet. In the body of infected pets the adult female heartworm produces the young worms called microfilaria which start circulating freely in the bloodstream. Then some of the microfilaria gets transferred to the blood of the mosquito which bites the pet. Inside the mosquito’s body it matures within 10-14 days and following that when it bites another dog, it automatically gets transmitted to it. 

The larvae mature into the adult form in about seven months time and take refuge in the blood vessels, lungs and heart of the dog. The length of the adult worm can be about 12 inches and their lifespan is generally seven years. If proper care and prevention methods are not taken on time, the number of heartworms might multiply to as many as 250 inside the dog’s body. 

Heartworm had been creating quite a menace in the United States with almost every state reporting the existence of the parasite. What is more dangerous is the fact that the infected dog does not normally show symptoms initially. As the worms begin to clog the dog’s heart and the lungs, the dog begins developing a cough. The dog will also start losing consciousness because of the lack of proper blood circulation and might even retain fluid. 

To thwart this problem, it is imperative that the pet owners religiously follow a proper prevention care for the dogs.  

First and foremost, a prompt blood test is recommended. A visit to the vet is equally important if heartworm is detected. The drug, Ivermectin is usually recommended by vets to combat heartworms and it can be administered as a chewable or even as a daily tablet. 

But it is to be noted that the pet owner must fully comply with the directions given to totally free their pets from heartworms. One slight mistake might disturb the whole procedure. The medicine is required to be given on the same day of every month and the failure to do so might not augur well for the dog. The owner needs to remember that continued negligence will result in a fatal condition for his pet. 

It is an established myth that since mosquitoes are not found in the colder months, the dogs will not require the medicine during that time. The American Heartworm Society however specifically mentions that to protect the dog fully the medicine needs to be administered regularly for the whole year without fail. 

However, there are certain other biological factors pertaining to the failure of heartworm preventive measures. The factors may be the microfilaria or the intermediate host. Researchers are still working on how biological factors may affect prevention of heartworm disease.