heartworm

In the form of heartworm disease, it may be fatal to dogs and other mammals.

…is caused by the nematode Dirofilaria immitis. Infective larvae (microfilariae) develop in mosquitoes, which serve as the vector for transmission. In dogs, after the larvae are introduced into the host, they develop and migrate to the right side of the heart, where they mature. Adult worms attain lengths of 17–27…