What are HeartWorms?

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms living in the arteries of the lungs and in the right side of the heart of dogs, cats and other species of mammals, including wolves, foxes, ferrets, sea lions and (in rare instances) humans. Heartworms are classified as nematodes (roundworms) and are but one of many species of roundworms. The specific roundworm causing heartworm in dogs and cats is known asDirofilaria immitis.

Dogs or other animals harboring adult worms are the recognized reservoir of infection. Adult worms produce the offspring that circulate in the blood, and are then transmitted to mosquitoes once they bite the infected animal. These offspring (microfilariae) undergo development to an infective larval stage within 14 days in the mosquito, and can then be transmitted to another host (such as a cat) or back to another dog, when the infected mosquito bites again. The infective heartworm larvae travel through a tubular organ within the mosquito's head and are injected into the skin of a new host animal through the mosquito bite wound. In the dog, the larvae progress in their development to an adult form of the worm, and live in the heart and pulmonary vessels, where they continue the life cycle and cause extensive injury. In the cat, the larvae molt as well, but fewer worms survive to adulthood. While dogs suffer severe heart and lung damage from heartworm infection, cats typically exhibit minimal changes in the heart. The cat's primary response to the presence of heartworms occurs in the lungs.

Within the dog, the time frame between initial infection and growth to adult worms is approximately six to seven months, eventually arriving in the heart and pulmonary vessels where they begin to produce new offspring. This period is referred to as patency. In cats, it takes seven to eight months before adult worms arrive in the heart and pulmonary vessels, and this is referred to as transient patency. In most cases the life cycle of the heartworm ends here since microfilaria are produced in less than 20% of the cats. Some worms may get up to 3 feet long. 

Heavy infestation of heartworms will cause swelling in the lungs, pulmonary arteries, kidney and heart, which will eventually cause the animal to die.

Symptoms may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Coughing
• Weakness
• Hemorrhage

Killing heartworms can also be dangerous for your animal. Dead worms can clog small blood vessels causing organs to fail making it imperative that your animal be confined to a small space to try and prevent this from happening. Older or sick animals may not be able to tolerate the current treatment. That is why Amber Technology’s slow method of treatment has its benefits, which allows the dog to recover slowly. This method does not require your animal to be confined.

Keep in mind these are HEARTWORMS. The heart is a vital organ. Anytime you work with the heart you take a risk. The heartworms can dislodge and go anywhere in the system. The heart can become weakened from the heartworms. Depending on the severity of the heartworms (and condition of the heart) will determine the results of the treatment. Amber Technology does not guarantee the health of your dog (due to conditions out of Amber Technology’s control). Do not allow your pet to over exert (breeding, racing etc). This can cause worms to dislodge.