Rev 09/20/2022
Rhabditida
Onchocercidae
Males:
Female:
Reported median body size for this species (Length mm; width micrometers; weight micrograms) - Click:
Veterinary fees, diagnostic tests, medicines for household pets.
Dirofilaria immitis is a parasite that feeds exclusively on the blood of the host.
The nematode usually occupies the right chamber of the heart and the pulmonary arteries of dogs, foxes, wolves, coyotes, and cats.
Dogs, foxes, wolves, coyotes, and cats.
(Lifecycle diagram from American Heartworm Society)
Dirofilaria immitis has an indirect life cycle.
Ecophysiological Parameters:
Monthly medication with Avermectin is a preventative.
Olson, Wilford O. 1962. Animal Parasites-Their Biology and Life Cycles. Burgess Publishing Company, Minneapolis pp.315
Noble and Noble. 1964. Parasitology-The Biology of Animal Parasites. Lea and Febiger Co., Philadelphia pp.310
Material from Heather Hathaway, 1995.