Dirofilaria Parasites Causes Heartworm Disease

Parasites, whether endoparasites or ectoparasites, cause diseases in animals. The Dirofilaria immitis causes Heartworm disease. Canines that live outdoors has a greater risk of mosquito exposure than any canine that primarily lives indoors. Female mosquitoes feed on the canine’s blood, and if the canine is infected with L1 microfilaria, the mosquito sucks up the larvae that lives in the blood. The next canine that the mosquito takes a blood meal from will be infected with the L3 larvae. This infective L3 larvae enters the canine where the mosquito feeds. While the L3 larvae is living in the skin, it transforms to L4 larvae anywhere between one to twelve days. The L4 larvae starts moving through tissue toward a blood source. After approximately …show more content…
Blood smears viewed under a microscope will also confirm the disease by seeing the microfilaria swimming. X-ray of the chest cavity will reveal the concentration of worms by the enlargement of the right side of the heart. Anemia is also associated with the disease and is detectable by urine or blood tests. The object is to kill the adult worms and the microfilaria. Complications of the disease is when the severity of the infection has other symptoms and problems within the body. Caparsolate, administered by intravenous means, will not eradicate the entire infection. There are numerous side effects, which include digestive tract upset, liver jaundice, renal failure, and death. Immiticide is more effective in killing only the adult worms and the side effects are similar to caparsolate, but doses can be given in monthly intervals. Heartworm treatment medicine is toxic due to the ingredient of arsenic. Doses of Doxycycline, Macrocyclic lactone and Prednisone are prescribed. Surgery is possible to remove masses of worms when the canine is in good health and the complications of the disease is not serious. Retesting after treatments are completed is necessary. If a test comes back positive, the canine must be