CANINE HEARTWORMS IN COYOTES IN ILLINOIS

Introduction

Scientists in the state of Illinois tried to find out the impact levels of Canine heartworms

on the health and population dynamics of coyotes throughout the state. This serious and most

likely fatal disease affects not only wild but as well domestic animals. Heartworms have a more

aggressive pathologic effect on dogs, although coyotes are the main variable of this study and the

disease is seen in more advanced stages. Considering its transmission is done by mosquitos to its

hosts due to their wildlife exposure. Locating in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels,

heartworms lead to pulmonary hypertension and heart failure. Coyotes living near urban areas

are a potential carrier of the disease to dogs. Heartworm could be a threatening disease among

the coyotes population in Illinois that is the reason why it is been acknowledged. This research

will address the intensity of heartworms in coyotes regionally and statewide; the parallel effect

on coyotes body weight and winter fat levels; and heartworm relation to female coyotes

reproductive rates.

Materials and Methods

Research material was gathered from 920 coyotes cadavers across the state of Illinois,

between the seasons of 1995-1996 and 1996-1997 from November through March, given by fur

buyers, hunters and trappers. Recorded data included: date and location of harvest, sex, body

weight, length, standardize body weight, subcutaneous fat and quality of fur. Assessing body

weight, kidney fat index and percentage of marrow fat indicated nutritional conditions. Organs
and body parts such: hearts, lungs, female reproductive tracts, kidneys, bone marrow and lower

canine teeth were kept for analyses. By radiographing the canines teeth helped them to

determine animals age. Scientists then dissected coyotes hearts and lungs, extracted all

heartworms counted and conserved in a solution of 70% ethyl alcohol with 5% glycerin

Reproductive performance of 184 yearling and adult females was estimated by counting

placental scars (Harder and Kirkpatrick, 1994). One or more placental scars were categorized as

breeders, the lack of scars as non-breeders. Data was studied using SAS statistical package

1995. Chi-square testes categorized heartworms. One way analysis of variation (ANOVA) for

intensity of infections and 2-sample t-test to distingue occurrence in male/female. Scientists

divided all animals into two groups: infected and uninfected. So each samples data from the

infected group was analyzed for possible affect of heartworms on body weight, fat reserves, and

fecundity. Also, infected samples were subdivided into two groups by the number of heartworms

found in each coyote, 0-12 and 12.

Results

Scientists found the prevalence of heartworms on the right pulmonary artery where most

of them were extracted. A lower incident was found in the right atrium, vena cava and jugular

veins. They found out that 16% of 920 coyotes from ages of 0.5 to 13.5 years were infected with

adult heartworms. Occurrence was lower in juveniles and an expressive number among adults

over 3.5 years old (40.4%). Dr. Thomas stated The prevalence of heartworms was significantly

higher in males (17.7%) than in females (14.1%) (Thomas 3). Which was a suspected outcome.

Scientists also observed a higher occurrence in coyotes from southern Illinois. About 81% of

infected coyotes had equal number of heartworms from both sexes. Body weight did not revealed
differences among the infected coyotes from any age. Placental scars tissue differ among the

ages of infected females in relation to uninfected. Only 33% of infected yearlings had placenta

scars versus 44.8% of uninfected.

Discussion

Scientists concluded a low change over the past 20 years in the occurrence of heartworms

in coyotes across the state of Illinois. A minor influence on these animals population dynamics

as well. Negative founds on the connection of heartworm disease and their fur quality. But an

expressive impact of heartworms on reproductive success rate of female coyotes due to

hypertensive conditions or suppressed appetite. However coyotes live in the proximities of urban

areas especially in the southern region of Illinois being a potential source of transmission of the

disease to domestic animals particularly dogs. Therefore scientists make a call for heartworm

control programs.

Work Cited

Harder, J.D., and. L. Kirkpatrick. Phys-biological methods in wild life research. In Re-search and
management techniques for wild life and habitats. The Wildlife Society, Bethesda,
Maryland. 5th Edition pp.275308. 1994
Thomas A. Nelson, David G. Gregory, and Jeffrey R. Laursen. Canine Heartworms In Coyotes
In Illinois. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. Vol. 39, No. 3 pp. 593599. 2003