The infective third larval stage matures to the fourth larval stage (L4) in the subcutaneous tissue of the animal over three to four days. The mosquito deposits the infective third larval stage onto the animal around the bite wound where the larvae then move into the animal’s body through the bite wound. The microfilaria undergoes two molts (growth phases) to the infective third larval stage (元) inside the mosquito. The microfilaria are ingested by the mosquito while it is feeding on a heartworm positive animal. The offspring are known as microfilaria or the first larval stage (L1 stage). The life cycle in dogs begins with an adult heartworm producing offspring that circulate in the bloodstream of an infected animal. The prepatent period, or the time of exposure from a mosquito bite to the time when the infection can be detected, of heartworm disease is approximately 6 months, and the life span of the heartworm is 5 or more years in dogs. Once the heartworm disease is diagnosed, usually starting with a blood test, the goal is to treat the adult parasitic infection and eliminate infective larvae in the bloodstream. Heartworm disease can have a range of signs from asymptomatic (no symptoms) on up through coughing, weight loss, exercise intolerance, lethargy and life-threatening signs of collapse, heart failure, or even death. It is found in all 50 states of the United States and is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Heartworm disease is caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitis and is a serious threat to dogs, cats, and ferrets as well as other wild animals.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |