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Name of Pathogen, Disease, and signs/symptoms?

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Name of Pathogen, Disease, and signs/symptoms?

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Dirofilariasis is the disease caused by Dirofilaria worm infections. In dogs, one form is called “heartworm disease” and is caused by Dirofilariasis immitis. This pathogen is a blood-borne parasite in which adult parasitic worms can cause pulmonary artery blockage(s) in dogs, leading to an illness that can include exhaustion upon exercise, fainting, cough with or without blood, and severe weight loss. (cdc.gov web)

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These parasitic worms almost resemble spaghetti noodles in their appearance and can differ in size based on their sex, male worms can average between 4-6 inches length while female worms can be anywhere from 10-12 inches long.

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The definitive mammalian hosts for Dirofilaria are primarily domestic dogs, wild animals (such as wolves and foxes), and raccoons. In these hosts, sexually mature worms produce microfilariae that circulate in the blood and are ingested by mosquitoes during a blood meal. In mosquitoes, the microfilariae develop into larvae that migrate to the proboscis (the long, tubular part of the mouth of the mosquito that punctures the skin during a blood meal), where they are ready to infect another host during a blood meal. Several types of mosquitoes are capable of transmitting Dirofilaria infection, including Aedes, Anopheles, and Mansonia.

Humans and a wide range of other mammals are accidental hosts that play no role in the transmission of Dirofilaria. In these hosts, Dirofilaria larvae can develop into adult worms but the worms remain sexually immature and no microfilariae are produced.

(cdc.gov web)

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Dirofilariasis can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites in areas where mosquitoes may be infected with Dirofilaria larvae. The risk of such mosquito bites can be reduced by leaving as little skin exposed as possible, by the use of insect repellent when exposed to mosquitoes, and by sleeping under an insecticide-treated bednet in areas where Dirofilaria-infected mosquitoes bite at night and have access to sleeping areas.

(cdc.gov web)

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Global distribution of canine dirofilariasis. Blue represents strictly Dirofilariasis immitis infections; green represents Dirofilariasis repens infections; orange represents presence of both species. Dirofilariasis repens affects the integumentary system rather than cardipulmonary like d. immitis, as shown in the diagram below. So the worms infest the skin rather than heart or lungs.

(journals.asm.org web)

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Like dogs, humans become infected with Dirofilaria through mosquito bites. Felines are also succeptible to this infection.

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An injectable drug, melarsomine (brand name Immiticide®), is given to kill adult heartworms. Melarsomine kills the adult heartworms in the heart and adjacent vessels. This drug is administered in a series of injections. Your veterinarian will determine the specific injection schedule according to your dog's condition. Most dogs receive an initial injection, followed by a 30-day period of rest, and then two more injections that are given 24 hours apart.

Many dogs will also be treated with an antibiotic (doxycycline), to combat potential infection with bacteria (Wolbachia) that inhabit the heartworm.

(vcahospitals.com web)

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"Complete rest is essential after treatment."

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"Complete rest is essential after treatment."

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The adult worms die in a few days and start to decompose. As they break up, they are carried to the lungs, where they lodge in the small blood vessels and are eventually reabsorbed by the body. This resorption can take several weeks to months, and most post-treatment complications are caused by these fragments of dead heartworms. This can be a dangerous period so it is absolutely essential that the dog be kept as quiet as possible and is not allowed to exercise for one month following the final injection of heartworm treatment.

(vcahospitals.com web)

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Good figure that visually explains why REST is ESSENTIAL to the dogs after being diagnosed with heartworms...

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Good figure that visually explains why REST is ESSENTIAL to the dogs after being diagnosed with heartworms...

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Minimum of 30 days, no physical exertion or exercise whatsoever. Can you imagine the struggle of trying to breathe let alone exercise with your vital organs in this ^^^ kind of condition?