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Hurricane Pet Refugees: The Heartbreak of Heartworm

Traditionally, the majority of heartworm cases throughout the country have been found in the Mississippi River Valley and southeastern United States. But because of the Katrina refugees, some veterinarians worry it could begin making inroads in low-incidence areas.

In fact, upwards of 60 percent of pets evacuated from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are likely heartworm-positive. The high incidence has been attributed to the prevalence of mosquitoes in the hot, humid South and the fact many of the rescued animals may be strays, or do not appear to have had regular veterinary care.

Pet owner Phyllis DeGioia experienced heartworm firsthand in her rescued dogs. As the canine crisis unleashed by Hurricane Katrina came into focus, DeGioia quickly swung into action and signed up to foster Katrina refugees.

By late September 2005, just three weeks after the storm, she had taken in two hurricane dogs and helped a third find a foster home. Routine check-ups revealed Callie and Bella were both heartworm positive.

"I was certainly surprised to hear they had heartworm," DeGioia says. "I don't think anybody foresaw the vast number of heartworm positive cases coming out of Louisiana and Mississippi."

Dr. Tom Nelson, president of the American Heartworm Society, says it's too early to tell whether displaced Katrina dogs will spawn significant heartworm outbreaks in other regions. Animals can't be accurately diagnosed with heartworm for at least six and a half months after infection, he says. The chances of transmission are dependent upon the climate and time of year. Even if Katrina dogs haven't come to your area, Nelson says pet owners should have their animals tested.

DeGioia's confident one positive change will emerge from the Katrina tragedy: a greater understanding of the insidious nature of heartworm.

"I don't think many people were aware of the disease before," she says. "But now, it's front and center throughout the dog world."

The American Heartworm Society, http://www.heartwormsociety.org was founded in 1974 to facilitate and encourage the generation and dissemination of information about heartworm disease. Its headquarters are in Batavia, Ill.

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