VETS WINDSOR - HEARTWORM DISEASE

HEARTWORM DISEASE Heartworm is a large worm infection that is worldwide in distribution and can infect a wide variety of species including dogs and cats. Mature worms lives in heart and vessels that supply blood to the lungs. Mosquitoes spread the disease from infected to healthy pets. When infected mosquito bites, it can transfer baby worms to a healthy pet where they start further development. When mosquito bites, nobody knows either that mosquito was infected or not and even a single bite of mosquito is sufficient to transfer the infection. If the heartworm goes undetected or proper remedy is not done to control baby form of worms, they will grow and develop into adults, then reproduce causing a very serious disease. Baby worms can survive in body up to 3 years. Adult worms may range from 16 to 28 cm (6 ½ to 11 inches) in length and can survive up to 5 years. Rivard Animal Hospital 5635 Tecumseh Road East Windsor ON N8T 1C8 519-974-7387 www.rivardanimalhospital.com