“I don’t want peoples cats or dogs crapping thier parasites in my yard where my children play, and that includes hookworms, roundworms, heartworms, pinworms and all kinds of other parasites, some very deadly to humans. And you foolish pet owners, don’t think they don’t get into humans, oh, they do, and only a fool would think they wouldn’t.”
Dude, go back on your meds....
uestion: What are heartworms, and can I catch them from my dog?
Most pet owners have heard of heartworms. But what do heartworms look like and how are they transmitted from animal to animal? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this FAQ.
Answer: What are Heartworms, and can I catch them from my dog?
Heartworms are large worms that live in the hearts of dogs and cats. They are also found in other species; including ferrets, foxes, wolves, sea lions, and horses. Dogs are the common host for this parasite. Humans are not a natural host for heartworm, but there have been a few rare reports of human cases. In humans, the heartworm is usually found as a single worm in the lung versus the heart. Heartworm is also known as Dirofilaria Immitis. It is a long, spaghetti-like worm that can be anywhere from 6 to 14 inches in length (~17 - 27 cm). Female worms are longer than the male heartworms.
Heartworms cannot be spread animal-to-animal; heartworms need a mosquito to complete their life cycle.