High School

Heartworms are parasitic mites that infect the heart.

True or False?

Answer :

Final answer:

Heartworms are parasitic mites that infect the heart in dogs and cats, causing a range of complications. This statement is true.

Explanation:

Heartworms are parasitic mites that infect the heart in dogs and cats. The adult heartworms live in the right ventricle of the heart in dogs and in the pulmonary arteries of cats.These worms produce microfilaria, or 'baby' heartworms, which can be seen in blood smears.

In advanced infections, heartworms can cause complications such as coughing, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and heart failure. Therefore, the statement that heartworms are parasitic mites that infect the heart is true.