Content warning: this blurb is not for the faint of heart(worm)!

Some parasites are happy to set up shop just about anywhere in the body, but Metazooa Animal #836 is much more particular. Heartworm is a notorious nematode that exclusively infects the hearts and lungs of dogs, cats, and even wild mammals.

The story begins when a mosquito bites an infected animal, picking up microscopic baby worms called microfilariae. When that mosquito bites another animal, it injects the larvae into the bloodstream. From there, the tiny larvae embark on a months-long migration through tissue, eventually making their way to the heart and pulmonary arteries. Over the next 6 to 7 months, they mature into spaghetti-like adults that can reach over a foot in length. A dog can host as many as 250 heartworms at once!

Here's the wild part: adult heartworms can survive and reproduce inside a pet's heart for up to seven years, releasing thousands of offspring into the blood to continue the cycle. In cats, the worms usually don't reach full size, but even a single worm can cause severe illness. Heartworm disease is present nearly worldwide, but is especially common in warm, humid climates with lots of mosquitoes.

If this makes you want to hug your pet a little tighter, you're not alone. Thankfully, heartworm prevention is as simple as a monthly chewable treat or topical application. Mosquitoes can give your pet heartworm long before symptoms appear, so keep them safe with consistent prevention and annual vet checks.

Learn more: Heartworm Society

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