Changes

===Diagnostic Imaging===

===Diagnostic Imaging===

In dogs, thoracic radiography may show several changes in advanced disease. The pulmonary arteries might be enlarged, and abnormal lung patterns can be seen. In severe cases, right-sided cardiomegaly may be appreciated, and pleural and peritoneal effusions can be noted if right-sided congestive heart failure occurs⁴. Thoracic radiographs are useful for evalating the severity of lesions, but do not neccessarily reflect the current worm burden: radiographic signs of advanced disease can persist long after an infection has run its course⁴.

In dogs, thoracic radiography provides good information on disease severity and is useful for screening dogs showing clinical signs compatible with ''D. immitis'' infection<sup>1</sp>/ However, thoracic radiograph do not neccessarily reflect the current worm burden: radiographic signs of advanced disease can persist long after an infection has run its course⁴. Conversely, dogs with high burdens may be inactive and thus show few clinical signs or radiographic changes.  

n dogs, thoracic radiography provides the most information on disease severity and is a good screening tool for dogs with clinical signs compatible with dirofilariasis. Class III infections are characterized by a large main pulmonary artery segment and dilated, tortuous caudal lobar pulmonary arteries. If the latter are ≥1.5 times the diameter of the 9th rib at their point of superimposition, then severe pathology is present. Right ventricular enlargement may also be seen. Fluffy, ill-defined parenchymal infiltrates of variable extent often surround the caudal lobar arteries, usually worst in the right caudal lobe, in advanced disease. The infiltrate may improve with cage confinement with or without anti-inflammatory dosages of a corticosteroid.

may show several changes in advanced disease. The pulmonary arteries might be enlarged, and abnormal lung patterns can be seen. In severe cases, right-sided cardiomegaly may be appreciated, and pleural and peritoneal effusions can be noted if right-sided congestive heart failure occurs⁴. Thoracic radiographs are useful for evalating the severity of lesions, but

 

Class III infections are characterized by a large main pulmonary artery segment and dilated, tortuous caudal lobar pulmonary arteries. If the latter are ≥1.5 times the diameter of the 9th rib at their point of superimposition, then severe pathology is present. Right ventricular enlargement may also be seen. Fluffy, ill-defined parenchymal infiltrates of variable extent often surround the caudal lobar arteries, usually worst in the right caudal lobe, in advanced disease. The infiltrate may improve with cage confinement with or without anti-inflammatory dosages of a corticosteroid.

In cats, cardiac changes are less common. The caudal lobar arteries normally appear relatively large, but are larger still with heartworm infection. Patchy parenchymal infiltrates may also be present in cats with respiratory signs. The main pulmonary artery segment usually is not visible due to its relatively midline location.

In cats, cardiac changes are less common. The caudal lobar arteries normally appear relatively large, but are larger still with heartworm infection. Patchy parenchymal infiltrates may also be present in cats with respiratory signs. The main pulmonary artery segment usually is not visible due to its relatively midline location.