ACT - Parasite Transmission 1

ACT - Parasite Transmission 2

What, How, and WhyMy Pet Has Worms

The what, how, and why depends on the type of worm your pet is infected with.Unlike earthworms these worms live inside the animals body.How they get there is called parasitic transmission.Transmission may be by either direct or indirect means.

ACT - Parasite Transmission 3

Parasites can pass directly from one host to another.

Ingests feces or vomit

Skin penetration

Transmammary

Transplacental

ACT - Parasite Transmission 4

Parasites can ingesta paratenic host.

ACT - Parasite Transmission 5

Heartworms Dirofilaria immitis

Mature Microfilaria

ACT - Parasite Transmission 6

Dirofilaria immitis Lifecycle

1. Mosquito bites infected animal picking up D. immitis

2. Mosquito passes D. immitis to the next animal

3. Microfilaria (larvae) migrate to right side of heart – 3 months

4. Microfilaria mature in the heart – 3 months

5. After 6 months, adult worms begin producing microfilaria that are released back into the bloodstream.

ACT - Parasite Transmission 7

Parasite Transmission Review

1. What two means may parasites infect their host?

2. Explain trans-mammary infection.3. Explain trans-placenta infection.4. What other two direct ways may parasites

pass from one host to another?5. Explain what is meant by indirect

transmission.

ACT - Parasite Transmission 8

Parasite Transmission Review

6. How can heartworms be prevented in your dog?7. Why is it important to test for heartworms

before putting a dog on heartworm prevention medication?

8. What laboratory procedures are used to determine if a dog has heartworms?

9. Besides using heartworm prevention medications; what else can be done to help prevent infections.

10. What medication is used to treat heartworms?

ACT - Parasite Transmission 9

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Address:2701 Hartlee Field Road, Denton, TX 76208

Fax: (940) 381-1847

E-Mail:info@4act.com