
04/04/2025
The 7 Stages of Heartworm Disease: How It Spreads 🦟💔
Heartworm disease doesn’t happen overnight—it follows a dangerous cycle. Here’s how it spreads from one dog to another:
1️⃣ Microfilariae – Tiny larvae circulate in an infected dog’s bloodstream.
2️⃣ Mosquito Bite – A mosquito bites the infected dog and ingests the larvae.
3️⃣ Infective Larvae – The larvae develop inside the mosquito.
4️⃣ Bite Wound – The mosquito bites a new dog, passing on the larvae.
5️⃣ Mature Heartworms – The larvae grow into adult heartworms inside the dog.
6️⃣ Mating – Adult heartworms reproduce, creating more microfilariae.
7️⃣ Repeat – Another mosquito picks up the microfilariae, starting the cycle again.
The best way to stop this cycle? Year-round heartworm prevention! Protect your pet—contact us today to learn more.