Filaroides Hirthi Lung Worms in Dogs

Filaroides Hirthi Lung Worms in Dogs

Questions were whether it was highly infectious –  (and it is, the larva are infectious when passed in the animals’ poops and discharges) AND they can harbor the parasite and it can get worse on its own, with passage from lung to bowel and back again making it worse and worse WITHOUT any environmental exposure to more infectious poop.

Also, does Heartgard Heartworm Preventative actually prevent the progression of the infection in dogs? I don’t have nor have I found a clear answer on that.

Two articles from the Interwebs on Filaroides:

filaroides_hirthi_in_beagle_dogs

filaroides_osleri_indogs_exhaustive_article

Dr Erik Johnson is a Marietta, Georgia Veterinarian with a practice in small animal medicine. He graduated from University of Georgia with his Doctorate in 1991. Dr Johnson is the author of several texts on Koi and Pond Fish Health and Disease as well as numerous articles on dog and cat health topics.