heartworm
noun
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
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 Luke is neutered, up to date on all shots, licensed with Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, microchipped, and has tested negative for heartworm. — Arizona Republic, azcentral, "'One cool hound' and more up for adoption in Phoenix-area shelters this week," 28 June 2019 For dogs, animal advocates remind pet owners to administer heartworm, flea/tick preventatives and stay current with vaccinations. — Carol Kovach, cleveland.com, "Parma Anima Shelter shares pet-care tips for lazy, hazy summer days: Sun Postings," 25 June 2019 All pet adoptions are spayed or neutered, given age-appropriate vaccines (including rabies and distemper/parvo/panleukopenia), heartworm or feline leukemia/FIV tested and microchipped. — Chris Sims, Indianapolis Star, "How to get your pick of the litter at the Indy Mega Adoption Event," 11 June 2019 The dozens of dogs where immediately rushed to GBHS, where veterinarians, vet students from Auburn University and vet techs were standing by to provide exams, heartworm treatment, flea and tick medication and other medical care. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, "More than 80 Dogs, Including Days-Old Puppies, Rescued from Excrement-Caked Puppy Mill in Alabama," 10 July 2018 While the hound was in relativity good health, his heartworm test came back positive and was subsequently placed on the shelter’s euthanasia list. — Madeline Farber, Fox News, "Ohio shelter dog's 'freedom ride' photo goes viral," 11 May 2018 Both of them are neutered, up to date on vaccinations, microchipped, have been heartworm tested (both are negative) and are licensed with Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. — Arizona Republic, azcentral, "Give one of these Valley rescue pets a forever home this week," 22 June 2018These 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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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