Heartworms?

🦮 Why do dogs get heartworms, but humans rarely do?

Both humans and dogs can be bitten by mosquitoes carrying heartworm larvae, but the results are very different.

In humans, the immune system usually detects and destroys the larvae before they can mature. On the rare occasion the larvae reach the lungs, they form small nodules that are harmless and cannot continue the parasite’s life cycle.

Dogs, however, are natural hosts for heartworms. Inside a dog, the larvae can survive, mature, and reproduce. This allows the parasite to complete its life cycle, which puts dogs at serious risk of heartworm disease.

The important point to remember is that while humans are naturally resistant, dogs are not. Prevention, regular testing, and proper veterinary care are the only ways to keep dogs safe from this dangerous parasite.

🐈‍⬛Why is heartworm different in cats?

Cats, like humans, are not natural hosts for heartworms. Their immune systems make it difficult for the parasite to mature and reproduce. Most larvae that enter a cat’s body do not survive long enough to become adult worms.

However, this does not mean cats are safe from heartworm disease. Even a very small number of worms can cause serious problems. In many cases, just one or two worms are enough to trigger severe inflammation in the lungs and blood vessels. This condition is known as Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease, or HARD. Symptoms may include coughing, wheezing, vomiting, lethargy, or sudden collapse.

Unlike dogs, there is no approved treatment for heartworm infection in cats. For this reason, prevention is the only way to protect them. Regular use of veterinary-approved preventatives is essential for keeping cats safe from this potentially life-threatening disease.

Don’t forget to give your dogs and cats important PREVENTATIVES!