- There are 65 million dogs in the U.S.
- Heartworm disease has been reported in all 50 states.
- The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) recommends year-round treatment with broad-spectrum heartworm medicine that has activity against parasites with zoonotic potential because:
- Dogs may be exposed to and become infected with roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and other parasites throughout the year. Consequently, stages capable of transmitting parasites can be shed into the environment, regardless of season or climate.*
- One intestinal parasite worm can produce more than 100,000 eggs a day.
- Over 10,000 cases of human roundworm infections are reported annually in the U.S.
- Stomach ache, skin rashes, pneumonia and blindness may result from human infection by zoonotic internal parasites.
- Roundworms may work their way through the body into the eye.
- Hookworm progress can be seen under the skin as it migrates from the penetration site.
- You can actually see tapeworms. As the rice-like segments are shed in the feces, some may remain under the dog’s tail. Owners often find these slimy, white, wiggling segments on their carpets, furniture and clothing.
* Reprinted from CAPC Guidelines. For more information on pets and parasites, visit www.petsandparasites.org.
- Adulticide – Manufactured medication formulated to kill adult heartworms.
- Dirofilaria immitis – Heartworms.
- Dyspnea - Difficulty breathing.
- Filarial – A worm parasitic in the blood and intestines of vertebrates.
- Hookworms – Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Ancylostoma braziliense. The three types of hookworm controlled by IVERHART PLUS® and IVERHART MAX®
- Larvae - Immature stage of parasite or insect that changes structurally as it matures.
- Microfilariae - Prelarval stage of heartworms. (pronounced: micro fil ar eea).
- Nematodes - A common name for any roundworm of the phylum Nematoda.
- Parasiticide - Medication to kill parasites
- Roundworms – Toxocara cania, Toxacaris leonina. The two types of roundworm controlled by IVERHART MAX® and IVERHART PLUS®
- Tapeworms – Dipylidium caninum, T. pisiformis. The two types of tapeworm controlled by IVERHART MAX®.
- Vena cava - Either of two large veins carrying blood to the right atrium of the heart.
Sources:
The American Heartworm Society
CAPC – Companion Animal Parasite Council
The Centers for Disease Control
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