Heartworm Disease: April is Heartworm Awareness Month Heartworm
is a serious, life-threatening disease that can affect both dogs
and cats. It is caused by the adult stage of the parasite
Dirofilaria immitis. The infection may cause inflammation and
thickening of the pulmonary arteries, damage to the heart, liver
and kidneys, and, if untreated, can lead to heart disease and
death. Although camping and other outdoor activities in areas
that have high mosquito counts, such as Southern Oregon,
increase your pet's risk of coming into contact with disease-
carrying mosquitoes, cases of heartworm are regularly reported
throughout the state of Oregon. (See map by county here.)
Mosquito populations are capable of rising rapidly if conditions
are warm and wet. Dogs, cats, ferrets and wild canids, including
coyotes, are potential reservoirs of infection. Mosquitoes carry
the parasite that causes heartworm disease from animal to
animal. The life cycle of a heartworm begins when a mosquito
bites an infected animal carrying