Heartworm disease is transmitted by which vector?

Heartworm disease is transmitted by which vector?

• A. Direct dog-to-dog contact
• B. Mosquito bites
• C. Contaminated water
• D. Ingesting raw meat

Answer: (B)

Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. The parasite relies on a mosquito to move from one dog to another: an infected dog’s blood contains microfilariae that develop into infective larvae inside the mosquito, and when that mosquito bites another dog, it deposits the larvae which then mature into adult heartworms in the new host. This makes the mosquito the vector responsible for spreading heartworms. Direct dog-to-dog contact, contaminated water, or ingesting raw meat do not transmit heartworms. Understanding this highlights why protecting dogs from mosquito bites and using preventive medications is essential for heartworm prevention.

Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. The parasite relies on a mosquito to move from one dog to another: an infected dog’s blood contains microfilariae that develop into infective larvae inside the mosquito, and when that mosquito bites another dog, it deposits the larvae which then mature into adult heartworms in the new host. This makes the mosquito the vector responsible for spreading heartworms. Direct dog-to-dog contact, contaminated water, or ingesting raw meat do not transmit heartworms. Understanding this highlights why protecting dogs from mosquito bites and using preventive medications is essential for heartworm prevention.