heartworm (redirected from heartworm disease)

heartworm /heart·worm/ (hahrt´wurm) an individual of the species Dirofilaria immitis.

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heartworm

the common name for dirofilariaimmitis.

Heartworms. By permission from Darke P, Kelly DF, Bonagura JD, Color Atlas of Veterinary Cardiology, Mosby, 1995

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heartworm dermatitis

cutaneous dirofilariasis; a variety of skin lesions have been seen in dogs infested by Dirofilaria immitis, including hypersensitivity reactions, pyogranulomas and seborrheic dermatitis.

heartworm disease

the syndrome of pulmonary artery disease with hypertension, heart failure (primarily cor pulmonale), and occasionally liver failure and interstitial, tubular and glomerular renal lesions caused by infestation by Dirofilaria immitis. Many species may be infected, but dogs are most commonly affected by chronic cough, weight loss and ultimately congestive heart failure. Infestation by the parasite, and the disease, can be prevented with appropriate prophylactic chemotherapy. Called also dirofilariasis. See also occult heartworm infection, caval syndrome.