Heartworms are large worms that can measure up to 14 inches long! In their adult lives, heartworms live in the heart and pulmonary arteries of the unfortunate infected dogs. Heartworms spread through mosquito bites.

The cycle starts when a mosquito bites an infected dog. Heartworm larvae are then picked up by the mosquito. As the mosquito bites other dogs, it infects those dogs with the heartworm.

Heartworms are more common in certain areas than others. This is because:

1.Heartworms need specific types of mosquitoes to carry to their larvae

2.Heartworms larvae need weather warm enough to develop in the mosquito that carries them

3.Dogs (or other animals such as coyotes) have to be infected in the region

4.Potential host dogs have to be present in the area.

Keep you dog and cat healthy heartworm medicine. Talk to your veterinarian today.