is transmitted by mosquitoes, and can be
found in most areas of the country. When
a mosquito bites an infected animal, the heartworm larvae are ingested along
with the blood. Larvae mature to the infective
stage within the body of the mosquito, then are transmitted to a dog or cat
through a subsequent mosquito bite. Once
inside the host animal, heartworms travel to the lungs and the right side of
the heart, where they can grow and mate for several years. Adult heartworms reside in the pulmonary
arteries, or right heart if large amount of worms are present and can grow to a
length of 5-12 inches in dogs and 5-8 inches in cats.
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