Feline Dirofilariasis: An Overview of a Parasitic Nematode

More than one-thousand species of parasites affect domesticated felines and canines worldwide. Dirofilaria immitis is one such parasite causing cardiopulmonary disease in both canines and felines alike. Although canidae are the definitive host organisms, felines present as atypical hosts with a higher resistance to the nematode and a greater difficulty when determining diagnosis as compared to canines. As a result, knowledge of feline heartworm disease is not fully understood, and the scientific field is still growing. This presentation seeks to build a foundation of the parasitic life cycle in order to instill an understanding of D. immitis infection within felines. In addition, a hypothetical study that may be used to propel future research will be discussed.