5. Address the envelope. In the lower right third of the envelope, write the name of the person you are sending the letter to. Write the company name on the line below that (if there is a company name).
Once inside a new host, it takes approximately 6 months for the larvae to mature into adult heartworms. Once mature, heartworms can live for 5 to 7 years in dogs and up to 2 or 3 years in cats. Because of the longevity of these worms, each mosquito season can lead to an increasing number of worms in an infected pet.
Once the heartworm finds its way into the animal, it leads to heart failure, lung damage and can potentially leave life-threatening problems in other organs. While heartworm is commonly found in dogs and cats, it also can live in other animals, such as wolves, foxes and in some cases, even people. Wild animals that live close to homes, such as wolves and foxes, are considered dangerous carriers of heartworm.