The mosquito - borne parasite Dirofilaria immitis is known to infect multiple species,
including dogs, cats, ferrets, wolves, coyotes, foxes, sea lions, and even humans.1 Canids,
including dogs, are the definitive hosts, while cats are viewed as aberrant or atypical hosts.1 Unlike dogs, in North and South America, D immitis is the only
filarial disease that infects cats.2