Updates on the Ever-Present and Evolving Risks of Heartworm Disease
0.5 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians
Overview:
Dirofilaria immitis is an extremely common and often life-threatening parasitic infection, with ≈ 1million dogs testing positive annually in the U.S. Macrocyclic lactone preventives have been available for heartworm disease prevention for more than 30 years; however, the disease persists, and in certain regions of the country, rates are increasing. When considering the increases, there are numerous factors that are involved that will be discussed. Additionally, questions still arise concerning resistance to the heartworm disease preventives. This discussion will provide insights into our changing understanding of heartworm infections in dogs and the opportunities that exist to provide better protection for our pet companions.
Learning Objectives:
- Appreciate the trends observed in heartworm infections diagnosed in the United States over the last decade.
- Understand some of the factors responsible for the persistence and/or increase in heartworm infections across the country.
- Recognize the importance of year-round heartworm disease prevention for all dogs and what the data currently shows related to compliance.
- Appreciate the complexity of heartworm preventive lack-of-efficacy reports and macrocyclic lactone resistance.
- Gain a better appreciation of our current understanding of macrocyclic lactone resistance.
Michael Dryden, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVM
Michael Dryden, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVM, is an Emeritus University Distinguished Professor of Veterinary Parasitology, at Kansas State University. He received his DVM from Kansas State University, spent 2.5 years in private practice and then received his M.S. & Ph.D. in Veterinary Parasitology from Purdue University. He is the author or co-author of >150 journal articles and >15 book chapters on veterinary parasitology. He has lectured in 22 countries, presenting > 1,000 invited seminars on clinical veterinary parasitology at local, regional, national and international meetings. Dr. Dryden has received numerous teaching, research and service awards throughout his career, including the Pfizer Award for Research Excellence, the KSU Distinguished Service Award from the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association, a Recognition Award in Urban Entomology from the northcentral branch of the Entomological Society of America, an Excellence in Teaching Award from the American College of Veterinary Dermatology, the Veterinarian of the Year presented at the 56th Annual Show Dogs of the Year® Awards at the Westminster Dog Show, the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists Distinguished Parasitologist of the Year and the American Association of Veterinary Microbiologists Distinguished Microbiologist of the Year.
Moderator Adam Christman, DVM, MBA
Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, is the chief veterinary officer for dvm360®—an MJH Life Sciences Company™—who oversees content strategy and development and is the brand voice and personality for dvm360®’s multimedia channels. As a charismatic leader, he brings wit, humor, and authenticity to animal health care as the host of dvm360 Live!™ a new web-based talk show, The Vet Blast Podcast, continuing education webinars, and live media broadcasts.
Christman has also been in private practice and shelter medicine for 18 years and is currently a member and Treasurer of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association. He received his DVM degree from Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and his MBA from Aspen University.
Christman is a national thought leader, speaker and author on practice management, social media, and rehabilitation, and co-authored, Honey, Have You Squeezed the Dachshund? A Pet Owner’s Guide for Owners Who Are Terrified of IVDD—a book on dogs with disabilities. He has been featured in multiple publications and appeared on various multimedia shows throughout the country sharing his expertise and passion on all things veterinary medicine.
As an avid social media influencer for animal health care, he has over 800K followers on TikTok and 53K followers on Instagram. He loves to engage with fellow pet parents and veterinary professionals across social media. Christman is an advocate of Pride VMC and Pawsibilities. He is also the proud dog dad to 4 dachshunds and believes no one should be deprived of the incredible human-animal bond.
This program has been approved for 0.50 of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval.
This activity is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim.
