[smnewstead]

Hi, everyone. I was worried that I couldn't post about animals, but the caption of "Human Deformities and Medical Problems" says, "A collection of images and video showcasing human & animal deformities."

Hence, I bring you heart worm. You're all probably familiar with it, but this is one representative specimen.



Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes who pick up the microfilariae and then they travel through the bloodstream and grow into adult worms in the heart. When a dog eats and eats, yet is totally emaciated, the likely cause is heartworm. Here is the cycle.



Here is another picture of the cardiac tissue during a necropsy (animal autopsy). Note all the holes where the worms burrow and damage the heart. No, it's not spaghetti.



Heartworm can be treated before it becomes severe. It is lethal untreated.

Here is a map of heartworm prevalence in the United States.

[gatagato]

No pet should ever have to endure all the shit brought by this

[winvens]

So glad it doesn't seem to be present where I live, near the British Columbia/Washington state border.

[CrunchyCripple]

Cats can get it too. I've heard it's not as prevalent, but also not looked for, so who knows how common it is in felines.

The worms hang out and grow in the body and migrate to the heart when mature. They're in the lungs too.

So gross!!

[murofhsirgo]

holy fucking shit thats nasty

[kellyhound]

nasty

[Pyramid_Head]

This always scares me with my dogs.

[gatagato]

Contribution to the thread by gatagato:

Heartworm.JPG

[Shakey]

Noodles.