This is a disease that affects dogs only. It is caused by a worm that damages the lungs and heart of a dog. Symptoms are not evident until later stages of the disease. Dogs may develop a chronic cough, tire easily, and accumulate fluid. The heartworm parasite can cause lung, liver, and kidney damage, or death.
Mosquitoes attain worms by feeding on infected dogs, coyotes, or foxes.
Avoid activity outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. When engaging in outdoor activities, wear long pants, long sleeve shirts and other protective clothing and apply insect repellant according to label instructions. Keep infants indoors during peak mosquito hours. If outside, cover cribs, bassinets or playpens with suspended mosquito netting. Identify and eliminate all sources of standing water around property that can support mosquito breeding.