heartworm

heartworm
/hahrt"werrm'/, n.
1. a parasitic nematode, Dirofilaria immitis, transmitted by mosquito and invading the heart and pulmonary arteries of dogs, wolves, and foxes throughout its range in tropical, subtropical and, more recently, temperate regions around the world.
2. the disease caused by infection with heartworm.
[1885-90; HEART + WORM]

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Species (Dirofilaria immitis) of filarial worm that parasitizes mammals, especially dogs.

Up to 500 adult heartworms, which can grow to 6–12 in. (15–30 cm) long, live in the dog's heart, and the microfilariae (embryonic larvae) pass into the blood. Mosquitoes transfer infested blood from dog to dog. Both adult and larval heartworms tax the heart and restrict blood flow to the lungs, kidneys, and liver. By the time visible symptoms (chronic cough, labored breathing, listlessness, heart failure) develop, it may be too late for treatment. Preventive medicines and treatments, including surgery, exist.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • heartworm — [härt′wʉrm΄] n. a nematode worm (Dirofilaria immitis) transmitted by mosquitoes or fleas that is parasitic in the bloodstream, esp. in the heart, of dogs, cats, etc …   English World dictionary

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  • heartworm — noun Date: 1888 a filarial worm (Dirofilaria immitis) that is a parasite especially in the right heart of dogs and is transmitted by mosquitoes; also infestation or disease caused by the heartworm …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • heartworm — SYN: Dirofilaria immitis. * * * heart·worm .wərm n 1) a filarial worm of the genus Dirofilaria (D. immitis) that is esp. common in warm regions, lives as an adult in the right heart esp. of dogs, and discharges active larvae into the circulating… …   Medical dictionary

  • heartworm — heart•worm [[t]ˈhɑrtˌwɜrm[/t]] n. 1) ivt a parasitic nematode, Dirofilaria immitis, transmitted by mosquitoes and invading the heart and pulmonary arteries of dogs and other canids 2) ivt vet the disease caused by infection with heartworm •… …   From formal English to slang

  • Heartworm (album) — Infobox Album | Name = Heartworm Type = Album Artist = Whipping Boy Released = November 1, 1995 Length = ? Genre = Rock Label = Columbia Records Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://wc04.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg sql=10:gpfuxqthldae link] …   Wikipedia

  • heartworm disease —       parasitic disease, predominantly of dogs but also occurring in cat (cat, domestic)s, that is caused by the nematode Dirofilaria immitis. Infective larvae (microfilariae) develop in mosquitoes, which serve as the vector for transmission. In… …   Universalium

  • heartworm — noun a) A parasitic organism that afflicts dogs. b) The condition caused by this organism …   Wiktionary

  • heartworm — n. type of parasite found in the heart and pulmonary artery of dogs …   English contemporary dictionary

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