heartworm

heart·worm | \ ˈhärt-ˌwərm

\

Definition of heartworm

: a filarial worm (Dirofilaria immitis) that is a parasite especially in the right heart of dogs and is transmitted by mosquitoes also : infestation or disease caused by the heartworm

Examples of heartworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Standing water helps breed mosquitoes, which helps the spread of heartworm. — Caitlin Anderson, Twin Cities, "Heartworm risks for Minnesota pets rise. Here are ways to protect your dogs and cats.," 23 Sep. 2019 Kara Carmody has noticed an increase in the number of heartworm cases her center diagnoses annually. — Caitlin Anderson, Twin Cities, "Heartworm risks for Minnesota pets rise. Here are ways to protect your dogs and cats.," 23 Sep. 2019 Almost all of the animals were found to be suffering from heartworm, malnutrition and dehydration. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, "28 Neglected Dogs Crammed in Truck on Way to Dog Meat Festival Rescued Ahead of Slaughter," 15 Aug. 2019 In May, labs reported 7 cases of heartworm in Summit County, according to CAPC. — Robin Goist, cleveland.com, "Akron ranks #5 on national list of increased heartworm cases," 23 July 2019 He had been diagnosed with heartworm and went through four months of treatment in a foster home. — Arizona Republic, azcentral, "Sumo the big kitty and more up for adoption in Phoenix-area shelters this week," 23 Aug. 2019 Prior said, adding that they are not always tested or treated for heartworm. — Robin Goist, cleveland.com, "Akron ranks #5 on national list of increased heartworm cases," 23 July 2019 Animals that arrive with medical conditions like heartworm are treated by our veterinarians prior to adoption. — Janelle Dixon, Twin Cities, "Janelle Dixon: Transporting homeless animals from overcrowded southern shelters saves lives," 31 July 2019 The Aedes vexans is also one of the primary vectors of heartworm disease in dogs, Sinsko said, making this a prime time of the year for pet owners to get their furry friends on a prevention regimen. — Casey Smith, Indianapolis Star, "With a rainy spring, Marion County had few mosquitoes. That's no longer the case.," 22 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'heartworm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

1 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Heartworm.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartworm. Accessed 21 January 2020.

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More Definitions for heartworm

heartworm

noun

heart·worm | \ -ˌwərm

\

Medical Definition of heartworm

1 : a filarial worm of the genus Dirofilaria (D. immitis) that is especially common in warm regions, lives as an adult in the right heart especially of dogs, and discharges active larvae into the circulating blood whence they may be picked up by mosquitoes and transmitted to other hosts and that may infect humans causing local pulmonary infarction but does not achieve sexual maturity in the human organism

2 : infestation with or disease especially of dogs caused by the heartworm, resulting typically in gasping, coughing, and nervous disorder, and when severe commonly leading to death