April is Heartworm Awareness Month. Canine Heartworm disease is transmitted to dogs by the mosquito. A mosquito bites the infected dog and ingests the microscopic larvae. The larvae of the parasite Dirofilaria immitis develop in the mosquito and when the mosquito next bites a dog; they are transferred into the bloodstream. In a dog not receiving regular preventive, the larvae grove into adult worms that live in the heart and pulmonary arteries of the lungs. These adults can cause heart failure and lung disease, as well as producing larvae that perpetuate the life cycle. Administering a once monthly preventive will prevent the larvae from maturing. Preventive should be given year round. Dogs should be routinely and after missing more than two doses in a row.
SOURCE: https://www.heartwormsociety.org/images/pdf/2016_AHS_Canine_Brochure_Elanco.pdf
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