That was just a random question that popped into my head. I'm sure it's something physiological, but I just wondered if anyone had an exact medical answer. Thanks!
2007-06-27 10:30:27 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I think they can its just harder.
2007-06-27 10:36:28 · answer #1 · answered by I ♥ Pie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs are the primary host for heartworms. They like being there and thrive there. Dogs lack the antibodies to kill these parasites. Cats can also get heartworm disease. It is less common and usually they only have just a few worms compared to the hundreds that can live in dogs. I would imagine that people are able to kill the heartworms and therefore to do not become infected. But I'm sure it is possible and probably very very rare.
2007-06-27 10:46:59 · answer #2 · answered by gonnella1205 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Humans do get heart worms from mosquitoes. Our system is much larger and more complex than that of our pets so we aren't affected by them. Is true, they don't usually make it to our hearts, but the lungs. Humans can get any of the worms that dogs get.
2007-06-27 10:43:10 · answer #3 · answered by peach 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Heartworms do not cause problems for humans - it's not that we don't catch them, it's just that our immune systems are able to overcome them and kill the worms off without most people even knowing their infected.
Basically, heartworms are a dog parasite - specifically designed to live with in the internal environment of the dog - the dog is the 'target host' for the heartworm species.
The wikipedia article on heartworms pretty much says it!:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heartworm
Chalice
2007-06-27 10:58:23 · answer #4 · answered by Chalice 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
How Dogs Get Heartworms
2016-11-14 08:03:17 · answer #5 · answered by hatt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
humans can get them. We'r not the idea growth environment, but we can get them. And when we do get them they don't affect us quite the same way.
Humans can also get most other dog worms...so along with routine heartworm prevention make sure you're scooping your yard regularly.
2007-06-27 18:15:17 · answer #6 · answered by blk_sheep_fl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but it is very rare. Usually in humans, the worms migrate to the lungs instead of the heart. Here they form a lesion that can be seen on X-rays. There are normally few symptoms noticed with human heartworm infestation. Surgical removal of the lung lesion may be performed, if necessary. (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?N=3001&aid=582#answer_10)
Yes, it is possible but rare. Fortunately, people are not natural hosts for heartworms. However, a few people are susceptible enough for the larvae (usually only one) to grow and migrate to their heart and lung arteries. (http://www.iverhart.com/FAQ/)
2007-06-27 10:52:04 · answer #7 · answered by Ani 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Some humans can get heart worm but it usually goes to their lungs rarely to the heart. Good Question! All the best;^)
2007-06-27 10:39:08 · answer #8 · answered by SureKat 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Because heartworms are a canine disease. It only affects dogs.
2007-06-27 10:37:15 · answer #9 · answered by Sri 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋