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Cited by 301Parasitic Diseases Research and TreatmentHelminth infection and controlResearch on Leishmaniasis Studies

Heartworm Biology, Treatment, and Control

Bowman, Dwight D., Atkins, Clarke E.·2009·Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice
DOI 10.1016/j.cvsm.2009.06.003
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Abstract

This article is a review of the systematics, taxonomy, biology, prevention, control, and treatment of the canine heartworm, Dirofilaria immitus. This filarioid parasite remains one of the most important and dangerous diseases of the dog throughout the United States. The geographic range of the parasite is expanding, and in many parts of the country it has emerged as a threat to canine welfare only in the last 50 or so years. The article also discusses the pathophysiological mechanisms behind the disease induced, the means for diagnosing the disease, and the means of assessing the success of therapy. The treatment of potential complications of heartworm infection, such as post-adulticide thromboembolism, eosinophilic granulomatous pneumonitis, and caval syndrome, is also discussed.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.cvsm.2009.06.003

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67 of 67 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The majority of dog cases were caused by D. immitis, which is well known to cause a more severe disease in dogs compared to D. repens, leading to a higher probability of diagnosis.

    “The majority of these cases were caused by D. immitis, which is well known to cause a more severe disease in dogs compared to D. repens, leading to a higher probability of diagnosis [7].”

    From Vectors, host range, and spatial distribution of Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens in Europe: a systematic review (2025) · cites this paper as [7]

  • According to literature, approximately 85% of dogs infected with D. immitis show radiographically more or less specific pathologies in the area of the heart and lungs.

    “Interestingly, no abnormalities were found in any of the radiographs of the infected dogs, even though, according to literature, approximately 85% of dogs infected with D. immitis show radiographically more or less specific pathologies in the area of the heart and lungs [48,49].”

    From The Incidence of Dirofilaria immitis in Shelter Dogs and Mosquitoes in Austria (2021) · cites this paper as [48]

  • These results are consistent with the literature, noting many altogether asymptomatic cases of canine dirofilariosis and a long, symptom-free incubation period.

    “These results are consistent with the literature, noting many altogether asymptomatic cases of canine dirofilariosis and a long, symptom-free incubation period (which are also part of the problem in successful monitoring and prevention of the introduction of D. immitis to non-endemic countries) [17,48].”

    From The Incidence of Dirofilaria immitis in Shelter Dogs and Mosquitoes in Austria (2021) · cites this paper as [48]

  • Canine dirofilariosis has a long symptom-free incubation period and many altogether asymptomatic cases.

    “which is consistent with preceding studies, showing a long, symptom-free incubation period and many altogether asymptomatic cases of canine dirofilariosis (Schnieder 2006; Bowman and Atkins 2009).”

    From Current trends in canine dirofilariosis in Austria-do we face a pre-endemic status? (2020) · cites this paper as Bowman and Atkins 2009

  • A melarsomine protocol consisting of two injections used at the University for Veterinary Medicine, Vienna in dogs with heartworm disease stages one or two shows a similar outcome compared with the literature.

    “For this reason, a melarsomine-protocol consisting of two injections (Hinney and Leschnik 2015) is used at the University for Veterinary Medicine, Vienna in dogs with heartworm disease stages one or two, showing a similar outcome compared with the literature (McTier et al. 1994; Maxwell et al. 2014; Bowman and Atkins 2009).”

    From Current trends in canine dirofilariosis in Austria-do we face a pre-endemic status? (2020) · cites this paper as Bowman and Atkins 2009

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Authors
Bowman, D. D., & Atkins, C. E.
Affiliations
  • Cornell University (US)
  • North Carolina State University (US)
Corresponding author
Bowman, Dwight D.
ORCID
Venue
Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2009-11
Volume
39
Issue
6
Pages
1127-1158
ISSN
0195-5616 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.cvsm.2009.06.003
OpenAlex
W2093615671
Cited by
298
References
72
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 38 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 4
FWCI
5.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Helminth infection and control
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
Keywords
canine heartworm disease, Dirofilaria immitis, heartworm prevention, caval syndrome, geographic range expansion, dogs
MeSH terms
Animals, Cat Diseases, Cats, Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilariasis, Dog Diseases, Dogs, Humans, Insect Vectors, Culicidae, United States

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