As a rule the swine infested with the lungworms carrying the "masked virus" did not develop swine influenza immediately upon infestation with the lungworm.
Filariasis happens when one of these nematodes gets in the lymphatic system and causes a bit of fibrosis, which creates a physical blockage that obstructs the normal flow of lymph.
We've rescued six paralyzed dogs and many other special needs dogs, including those who have injuries like a fractured pelvis or broken legs, or are heartworm positive.
This is a really important question this year because we know that because of temperature and climate changes that are expected in 2022, there will be a higher instance of heartworm.
One of the most common global causes of lymphedema is filariasis, an infection with nematode parasites, which are tiny worms; the most common species are: Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori.
So we're really adamant about raising awareness around heartworm, because Wish has been in an oxygen chamber and we almost lost him—his bills are more than $6,000 right now.
Now, when we're having all the breakthroughs and all the heartworm positives, it seems to have died down a little bit in the last five years or maybe we've just changed our preventatives in some of our stuff.