Which organism serves as the vector for heartworm disease in dogs?

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Multiple Choice

Which organism serves as the vector for heartworm disease in dogs?

Explanation:
Mosquitoes serve as the vector for heartworm disease in dogs. The heartworm parasite, Dirofilaria immitis, relies on a mosquito to move from one dog to another. Infected dogs have circulating microfilariae in their blood, which are taken up by a feeding mosquito. Inside the mosquito, the microfilariae develop into infective L3 larvae. When that mosquito bites another dog, the L3 larvae are deposited and enter the skin, then migrate to the heart and pulmonary arteries to mature into adults and cause disease. Preventing mosquito bites and using preventive medications that kill the larvae are crucial. Fleas, ticks, and mites do not transmit heartworms.

Mosquitoes serve as the vector for heartworm disease in dogs. The heartworm parasite, Dirofilaria immitis, relies on a mosquito to move from one dog to another. Infected dogs have circulating microfilariae in their blood, which are taken up by a feeding mosquito. Inside the mosquito, the microfilariae develop into infective L3 larvae. When that mosquito bites another dog, the L3 larvae are deposited and enter the skin, then migrate to the heart and pulmonary arteries to mature into adults and cause disease. Preventing mosquito bites and using preventive medications that kill the larvae are crucial. Fleas, ticks, and mites do not transmit heartworms.

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