Fortunately, the majority of dogs diagnosed with heartworm infection are asymptomatic (or have only mild symptoms such as intermittent cough) and go through adulticide therapy without complication. Complications occurring with heartworm infection and during its treatment most often directly reflect the pulmonary vascular and parenchymal injury inflicted by Dirofilaria immitis. Clinical signs may include exercise intolerance, frequent cough, hemoptysis, tachypnea, and dyspnea. Severe manifestations such as heart failure and caval syndrome may prove fatal. Acute hypersensitivity reactions after initiation of macrocyclic lactone preventive therapy in microfilaremic dogs or after melarsomine injection during adulticide therapy do occur, but are uncommon. This article reviews complications associated with heartworm infection.

幸运的是，大多数被诊断患有丝虫感染的狗是无症状的（或只有轻微症状，如间歇性咳嗽），并且经过成年杀灭剂治疗而没有并发症。丝虫感染及其治疗过程中发生的并发症通常最直接反映出由Dirofilaria炎引起的肺血管和实质损伤。临床体征可能包括运动不耐，频繁咳嗽，咯血，呼吸急促和呼吸困难。诸如心力衰竭和骑兵综合症等严重表现可能致命。在微丝束犬中开始大环内酯预防治疗后或成年杀虫剂治疗期间注射美拉美明后，会发生急性超敏反应，但这并不常见。本文介绍了与丝虫感染相关的并发症。