Heartworms
A Real and Present Danger
Over 250,000 dogs in the US were reported positive for heartworms in 2004.1 Without a monthly preventive, larvae deposited by an infected mosquito develop in dogs resulting in heartworm disease. Heartworm disease is a debilitating – and potentially deadly – disease.
See how heartworms are transmitted at Canine Heartworm Animation.
Heartworms may eventually reach a foot or more in length, inhabiting mainly the blood vessels of the lungs and the right side of the heart. They damage not only these vital organs, but can cause dysfunction of the liver and kidneys as well. This damage can lead to such conditions as coughing, weakness, sluggishness and difficulty breathing, and may eventually result in death.
All dogs and cats are at risk for heartworm disease. Since it was reported in the U.S., more than 160 years ago, the disease has spread steadily, so that heartworm positive dogs have been reported in all 50 states.2