Heartworm Disease vs. Heartworm Infection

An important distinction must be made between heartworm disease and heartworm infection. Heartworm infection by definition means the host animal (generally a dog) is parasitized by at least one life stage of the heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis). Dogs with heartworms in their bodies do not necessarily have adult worms in their hearts; they may have larval heartworms only in their skin. Dogs with heartworms in their bodies are not necessarily sick, either. Dogs with only larvae of one stage or another are not sick and it is controversial how dangerous it is for a dog to have only one or two adult heartworms. These dogs are certainly infected but they do not have heartworm disease. On the other hand, dogs with heartworm disease are sick.

     1)   Heartworm disease is preventable. A medicated tablet/chew is given orally once a month. 
           Or, a topical medication is applied at the neck of the patient once a month. 

     2)   Heartworm preventatives are inexpensive. The cost is based on weight, $5.00 to $8.00 per month. 
            Equal to the cost of a Big Mac Meal Supersized.

     3)   Heartworms are passed from dog to dog or dog to cat by a mosquito bite.
 
     4)   It takes approximately 6 months for the larvae to develop to an adult heartworm in the heart.

     5)   The degree of illness in your pet is determined by the number of worms within the heart 
            and the sensitivity of your pet to the heartworms.

     6)   Heartworm treatment to eliminate the heartworms from your dog is expensive and lengthy. 
           The cost averages $800 to $1500 depending on size of the patient and the severity of the disease.

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