• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.269-272
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• 2018

A 4-year-old, 6.1 kg intact female dachshund was referred to the Animal Medical Center with acute right hind limb lameness. Radiographs revealed fractures of iliac body and tibia in the right limb. In addition, the dog exhibited tricuspid valve regurgitation and moderate heartworm infection in the right ventricle and main pulmonary artery on echocardiogram. To obtain stable anesthetic conditions for operation, an adult heartworm removal procedure was previously followed by repair of the complex fractures. All surgical procedures were done without complication and with stable patient conditions. At a one month postoperative follow-up, the dog was doing well with normal ambulation and no tricuspid valve regurgitation as well.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.133-137
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• 2004

This study was attempted to survey on the prevalence of canine heartworm(Dirofilaria immitis) infections among 206 dogs (male 92, female 114) in Daejeon area from March to December 2003. Blood samples taken from dogs were examined for the presence of D immitis microfilaria by the modified Knott's test and an antigen test( $AGEN^{TM}$ canine heartworm). The result obtained from this experiment were summarized as follows; 1. Eighteen(8.7%) of the 206 examined dogs were microfilaria positive, while twenty five dogs(12.1%) were antigen test positive. 2. The infection rates of heartworm in dogs at the age of <2, 2∼4 and $\geq$5 were 3.8%, 18% and 25%, respectively. 3. The infection rates of heartworm in dogs by housing of indoor and outdoor were 3.3% and 36.4%, respectively. 4. The regional infection rates were Dong-gu(13/29, 44.8%), Seo-gu(7/92, 7.6%), Yuseong-gu(2/33, 6.1%), Jung-gu(1/17, 5.9%) and Daedeok-gu(2/35, 5.7%). 5. The seasonal infection rates were summer(June∼August, 16.7%), autumn (September∼October, 14%), spring(March∼May, 9.4%) and winter(November∼December. 7.7%).7.7%).

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.327-332
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• 2013

A survey of canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection among 102 Jindo dogs was performed from September to October 1995, using a microfilarial test (modified Knott's test) and an antigen test (DiroCHEK, Synbiotics, USA). The infection rate of 102 Jindo dogs was 1.9% (2/102) by the modified Knott's test, but was 4.9% (5/102) by the antigen test. This result revealed that the antigen test is more accurate than the microfilarial test. Also, 222 Jindo dogs (Male 61, Female 161) were examined for Dirofilaria immitis infection from 1995 to 1997 using an antigen test (DiroCHEK, Synbiotics, USA). Twelve (5.4%) Jindo dogs were positive for Dirofilaria immitis antigen. The infection rates were higher than in male (6.6%, 4/61) than female dogs (5.0%, 8/161). The infection rates of heartworm in Jindo dogs at the age of under 1 year, 1~2 years and over 2 years old were 0.0% (0/39), 4.3% (5/115) and 10.3% (7/68), respectively. The older age had higher infection rates than the younger age (P=0.018). The infection rates of canine heartworm was reported to be the highest (17.6%, P=0.028) in Jodo-myeon, 10.6% in Uisin-myeon and 5.3% in limhoe-myun. But dogs with antigenemia weren't detected in Gogun-myeon. and Jisan-myeon. This study indicates that the prevalence of canine heartworm in Jindo-gun is lower than previously reported (3.1% and 12.3%) which utilized microfilarial tests.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 1997

We have investigated the prevalence of canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection among 100 mixed-breed dogs raised in Chonnam Province (Koheung, Posung, Changheung, and Hwasoon) and 100 dogs randomly selected from visiting dogs to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University for routine physical examination. Blood samples taken from dogs were examined for the presence of Dirofilaria immitis microfilaria by the modified Knott's test, and an antigen test which was based on the sandwich ELISA(DiroCHEK(equation omitted), Synbiotics, Inc., San Diego, California, USA) was used to detect the adult heartworm-specific antigen from serum samples. The results were then compared with those of the modified Knott's test. Five(2.5%) of the 200 examined dogs were microfilaria-positive, while 8 dogs(4%) were anti-gen-positive, which suggested that the antigen test was more sensitive than the microfilarial test in detecting heartworm infection. All dogs that were microfilaria-positive were also antigen-positive. The place of origin of the heartworm-positive dogs were of Naju (4/26, 15.4%), Koheung(3/32, 9.4%), and Hwasoon (1/19, 5.3%), while none of dogs raised in Kwangju, Posung, and Changheung areas were infected with the parasite. Although not significant, more infected dogs were observed in older ages, while the difference in infection rate between male (4/98, 4.1%) and female (4/102, 3.9%) was not recognized. Our results indicated that a relatively low infection rate was observed in dogs raised in Kwangju and Chonnam area compared to the infection rate reported previously in other areas of South Korea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.129-134
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• 2003

A survey of canine heartworm(Dirofilaria immitis) infections among dogs in Daefu area was performed from February 2000 to October 2002 using a microfilarial test and an antigen test(AGEN$^{TM}$ Canine heartworm). The infection rate of 220 dogs(96 males, 124 females) was 23.2%(51/22) by the microfilarial test, but was 23.6%(52/220) by the antigen test, revealing that 1 of 52 antigen-positive dogs were microfilaria-negative in the peripheral blood. All dogs that were microgilaria-positive were also antigen-positive. The infection rates of heartworm in dogs at the age of < 1, 1-3, 4-6, 7-11 and 12-15 years were 2.7%, 17.4%, 41.0%, 42.9% and 57.1%, respectively. Based on the fact that the antigen test is more accurate than the microfilaria test. The infection rates of heartworm in dogs by housing of indoor and outdoor were 6.9% and 46.4%, respectively. Based on the fact that outdoor housing is more infectious than indoor housing.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.15-18
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• 2020

Canine heartworm disease is a vector-borne disease that is transmitted from dog to dog by mosquitoes. It causes epidemics that disrupt the health environments of dogs and are burdensome for many dog owners. Recent trends of changing temperatures and weather conditions in South Korea may have an impact on the population of mosquitoes, and it affects the population of dogs at risk of heartworm infection. Mathematical modeling has become an important measure for analyzing the epidemiological characteristics of infectious diseases. However, canine heartworm infection transmission has not been reported yet through mathematical modeling. We develop a mathematical model of canine heartworm infection to predict the population of infected dogs depending on the vector (mosquito) population using a susceptible, exposed, infected, and recovered model. Simulation results show that after 1 year, 3,289 dogs out of 73,602 (about 4.5%) are exposed and 134 (about 0.2%) are infected. Only 0.2% of susceptible dogs become infected after 1 year. However, if all exposed dogs are maintained in the same circumstances without any treatment, then the number of infected subjects will increase over time. This may increase the possibility of other dogs, especially dogs that live outside, being infected.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.46.1-46.12
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• 2023

Background: Heartworm infection in dogs is caused by Dirofilaria immitis and common in shelter animals and outdoors dogs. Caval syndrome can develop with severe infection and physical heartworm removal is essential with heartworm burdens. In this study, we used an improved transvenous heartworm extraction brush, which was expected to cause less cardiovascular damage and allow easier manipulation. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate efficacy of this improved transvenous heartworm extraction brush. Methods: The brush was designed to improve upon the limitations of the previous brush-type devices. The brush was made of a polyvinyl chloride tube and threads of polyamides or polyglyconates. Metal material was inserted at the front tip for easy visualization under fluoroscopy. The eight dogs diagnosed with caval syndrome with large numbers of heartworms and pulmonary hypertension were used in this study. The removal procedure began with the dissection of the subcutaneous tissue around the right jugular vein. The device was inserted through the jugular vein. After insertion, the tube was rotated to catch the heartworms and extracted with the heartworms hanging on the threads. The procedure was repeated several times. Lastly, jugular vein and skin sutures were made. Adulticidal therapy was administered after heartworm removal. Results: The mean number of removed heartworms was 10.5 ± 4.24 and mean number of remaining heartworms was 0.63 ± 1.06. Total procedure time was 72.63 ± 51.36. Except for three cases, heartworms were not detected on ultrasonography after the procedure. No procedure-related side effects were observed within the 1- to 2-mon. Conclusions: An improved transvenous heartworm extraction brush is efficient for heartworm removal in dogs with caval syndrome.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.85-87
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• 2001

A 3-year-old female jaguar (Panthera onca onca) died after having 1 day history of respiratory failure. At necropsy, the pericardial sac contained large amounts of cloudy fluid enriched with fibrin. Numerous yellowish nodules, which are variable in size and often confluent, are randomly scattered throughout the myocardium. Pasteurella haemolytica was isolated from the pericardial sac and myocardium. In the lung, severe pulmonary congestion, edema and vasculities with intralesional presence of heartworm were found. Therefore the cause of death in this jaguar is believed to be due to respiratory failure following concurrent heartworm infection and bacterial pericarditis and myocarditis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.457-463
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• 2023

A 13-year-old neutered male Pomeranian, weighting 3 kg, presented with respiratory distress and depression. Radiographic examination revealed calcified ring-like opacities in the main pulmonary artery, mimicking thoracic foreign bodies. Additionally, right heart and main pulmonary artery enlargement and notable lung infiltrations were also observed. Echocardiography showed coil shaped structures in the main pulmonary artery with increased echogenicity compared to other nearby heartworms, which is consistent with calcified Dirofilaria immitis (heartworms). The dog was diagnosed with caval syndrome, which is the advanced and severe manifestation of heartworm infection. This report presents a rare case of calcified heartworm infection observed during a radiological examination, which resemble foreign bodies. Therefore, chronic heartworm disease should be considered as a differential diagnosis when radiopaque ring-like opacities are observed in the pulmonary artery on thoracic radiographs.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.369-375
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• 2009

This study was attempted to survey the prevalence of heartworm infection among 253 dogs (male 167, female 86) on the 16 breeding farms in southern Gyeongnam area in May to December 2007. The results obtained from this experiment were summarized as follows; Fifty seven (22.5%) of the 253 examined dogs were heartworms-antigen positive, while twenty five dogs were Microfilaria positive by the modified Knott's method. The regional infection rates were of 25% in Tongyeong and 21% in Goseong, and on the breeding environment aspects, infection rates were lower in rural area than urban area farms. The infection rates were higher in female (26/86, 30.2%) than male dog (31/167, 18.6%). The infection rates by breeding size of farms were 31% (11/35) at <20 head, 26%(35/135) at 20~50 head and 13% (11/82) at >50 head. The infection rates of heartworm in examined dogs at the age of <2, 2~4 and >5 were 10.7% (8/75), 26% (40/154) and 37.5% (9/24), respectively. In the microfillaria-infected 25 dogs, identified Dirofilaria immitis of 21 (84%) using PCR. The dogs infected with heartworm showed the increased number of eosinophil.