Guide to Preventing Parasites.pdf - Royal Canin Canada

Table 27. Number of cases of canine heartworm disease reported in Canada in the
annual postal survey
Number of
cases
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
A last argument that might convince us to take preventive measures is the possibility of
this parasite infecting humans. Many people become infected but destroy the parasite
without experiencing any ill effects. However, other people develop a pulmonary nodule
measuring 2 to 3 cm in diameter following the death of the parasite in a pulmonary
artery. About half of these people will experience clinical signs and symptoms
bothersome enough to prompt them to seek medical attention. More than 180 cases have
been reported in the literature for the United States alone, and one woman in Ontario was
recently found to be infected. In all likelihood, a number of infected individuals will
never be identified, which suggests that this figure could be much higher.
6.2 Feline hearworm disease
0
76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 0 3 5
The official recommendations of the American Heartworm Society are available on its
website and in Veterinary Parasitology (2005; 133: 267-275). Here are the highlights of
interest to Canada:
- Although cats are susceptible to heartworm infection, they are more resistant to it than
dogs. The usual burden encountered consists of one or two worms, and there are fewer
than six in most cases.
- The mosquitoes known to be the most important vectors prefer to feed on dogs, which
could explain, in part, why there is a lower prevalence of infection in cats. However,
mosquitoes of the genus Culex, which are very common in urban areas, have no
preference in this regard.
41
Years