|
|
Dogs
|
Cats
|
|
Parasite
|
Dirofilaria immitis
|
Dirofilaria immitis
|
|
Transmission
|
Mosquito
|
Mosquito
|
|
Susceptibility to
infection
|
Very high - virtually
100% of dogs exposed to infective larvae become infected
|
Lower than dogs - 61%
to 90% of cats exposed to infective larvae become infected
|
|
Longevity of
worms
|
5-7 years
|
2-3 years
|
|
Ectopic
infections (other than typical locations)
|
Occasionally
|
Not uncommon
|
|
Number of worms
|
Not uncommon to find more
than 30
|
Usually less than 6,
1-2 worms most common
|
|
Single-sex
infections in moderate - to high areas
|
Unusual
|
Common
|
|
Microfilaremia
|
• Persistent
• Very common
(80%-90%)
• Can last years, even
after death of adult worms
|
• Transient
• Seen in only 20% of
cats
• Lasts about 1 month
|
|
Organ with
greatest pathology
|
Heart and lungs
|
Lungs
|
|
Clinical
importance of small worm burdens
|
Little clinical
importance, depending upon size of dog and exercise level
|
Potentially fatal
|
|
Diagnosis
|
Relatively simple
|
Complex
|
|
Treatment
|
• 1 compound
approved
• Complications
manageable
|
• None approved
• High risk of
complications
|
|
Compounds for
prevention
|
Several approved in
US
|
3 approved in US
|
