HEARTWORM HOSTS
While dogs are considered to be definitive hosts for heartworms, D immitis may infect many different species, including indigenous canids, such as wolves, foxes, and coyotes; many species of felids; and occasional incidental hosts, such as deer, ferrets, raccoons, horses, and primates. The noncanid species are typically dead-end hosts; however,
even a single heartworm in some animals may cause significant pulmonary disease, especially in cats.2,3
In humans, dying adult
worms are associated with the development of pulmonary granulomas, which may be misdiagnosed as lung cancer on thoracic radiographs.3
July/August 2011 Today’s Veterinary Practice 31