Selected Milestone Events In Heartworm Disease

1963	Recommendations for the use of sodium caparsolate as an adulticide
1967	Recommendations for the use of DEC as a preventative
1969	Epidemiological surveys and heartworm distribution maps
1974	Began series of papers that led to a better understanding of feline heartworm disease
1974	Founding of American Heartworm Society at the Fourth Heartworm Symposium
1986	The use of ELISA antigen-detection tests for the diagnosis of canine heartworm disease
1987	Introduction of ivermectin as an oral monthly preventative
1991	Introduction of milbemycin as an oral monthly preventative
1993	The first report of “”safety-net”” (reach-back) activity of macrocyclic lactones
1995	Presentation calling attention to lack of compliance (clinic) of heartworm preventative
1995	The role of PIMs on the pathophysiology of feline heartworm disease
1995	The use of immunochromatographic antigen-detection tests for the diagnosis of canine heartworm disease
1997	Introduction of ivermectin for cats as an oral monthly preventative
1998	The use of antibody-detection test kits for the diagnosis of feline heartworm disease
1998	The adulticidal activity of monthly prophylactic doses of ivermectin
1999	Introduction of selamectin as a monthly topical preventative
2000-2004	The potential role of Wolbachia in the pathogenesis of canine and feline heartworm disease
2001	Introduction of long-acting moxidectin as an injectable
2001	American Heartworm Society begins collaboration with the Morris Animal Foundation to manage research funds for both feline and canine heartworm studies
2004	A comprehensive review of the zoonotic picture