Changes

==Life Cycle==

==Life Cycle==

Dirofilaria immitis adults reaach maturity and sexually reproduce in the right ventricle and the pulmonary arteries. After mating, female worms release larvae known as microfilariae into the circulation. When a mosquito takes a blood meal from the infected dog or cat, microfilariae are ingested. Mosquitos are true intermediate hosts for Dirofilaria immitis, and microfilariae require a variable period of maturation in the vector depending upon environmental conditions. For example, maturation at 30&degrees;C takes around 8 days, but when temperatures are down to 18&degrees;C, this takes around one month^ferasin. Below 14&degrees;, development is halted and resumes when temperatures rise. In cooler climates, this means that transmission of heartworm disease to new canine or feline hosts can only occur in warmer months.

Dirofilaria immitis adults reaach maturity and sexually reproduce in the right ventricle and the pulmonary arteries. After mating, female worms release larvae known as microfilariae into the circulation. When a mosquito takes a blood meal from the infected dog or cat, microfilariae are ingested. Mosquitos are true intermediate hosts for Dirofilaria immitis, and microfilariae require a variable period of maturation in the vector depending upon environmental conditions. For example, maturation at 30°C takes around 8 days, but when temperatures are down to 18°C, this takes around one month^ferasin. Below 14°, development is halted and resumes when temperatures rise. In cooler climates, this means that transmission of heartworm disease to new canine or feline hosts can only occur in warmer months.