October 4, 2012 by Admin ? ?
We had a beautiful summer with warmth, humidity and, recently, some gentle rain. But with every silver lining comes a cloud. In this case, it?s a cloud of mosquitoes.
At dusk, the mosquito army is turned loose. They descend on warm-blooded creatures faster than hounds tracking scent. Female mosquitoes need blood to lay eggs, and humans, horses, birds, dogs and cats are on the menu.
Mosquitoes bite us and irritate us, and their saliva makes us itch. But these pesky critters are more than an annoyance. Their blood can also spread disease.
West Nile virus is splattered all over the news these days. It?s spread by mosquitoes and it?s in our area. As of last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 137 positive mosquito cases in Massachusetts, 10 of which were in Essex County.
West Nile cycles between mosquitoes and birds with mammals as occasional and accidental victims. Many different mosquito species can be vectors; most are of the Culex genus. The adult bugs feed on birds and transmit the virus to them.
Birds carry the virus for several days before they become immune; however, a bird will still occasionally die. Crows and blue jays are more susceptible. Infected birds then pass the virus to other mosquitoes during a blood meal. And the cycle goes on. August and September are big months for transmission.
Most concerning are human cases of West Nile virus.
The first case of domestically acquired West Nile virus occurred in 1999, with a large outbreak in 2002. The incidence has since dropped, but can spike again given optimal weather conditions. About 20 percent of infected individuals become sick ? most are over 50 years old and spend a lot of time outdoors.
Symptoms are variable, and can include fever, aches, rash and swollen lymph nodes. In severe cases, West Nile virus causes inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or surrounding tissues (meningitis). The CDC reports four human cases in Massachusetts as of Sept. 4.
Horses are more likely to become ill from West Nile virus than are other mammals. Although most will recover with supportive medical care, up to 40 percent will die. Infected horses do not directly infect people or other horses. We do not know whether an infected horse can cause a mosquito feeding on it to become infected.
Fortunately, disease from West Nile virus in dogs and cats is rare. Most infected pets have mild clinical signs that may go undetected by their owners. The dog may have a fever or weak limbs. If you are concerned that your pet may be sick with West Nile virus, consult your veterinarian.
Eastern equine encephalitis is another mosquito-borne virus. It also cycles between birds and mosquitoes, with mammals being accidental hosts. EEE can cause inflammation of the brain, and horses are more susceptible than most other mammals. This week, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced a third human case of EEE in our state, although none were in Essex County.
A more common threat to cats and dogs from mosquitoes is heartworm disease. Baby heartworms are carried by mosquitoes and deposited into pets during a blood meal.
These larvae mature and migrate into the heart and lungs of our pets, causing severe and life-threatening illness.
Heartworm disease is endemic in Massachusetts. Wildlife are reservoirs, providing a constant source of infection to mosquitoes. A single bite from an infected mosquito can make your pet sick.
How can you protect yourself, your family and your pets from mosquito-borne disease?
Dump stagnant water found in your yard. It doesn?t take much water to create mosquito breeding grounds. Water collecting in outdoor drains, buckets, kiddie swimming pools, flower pots and old tires are ideal hot spots.
Avoid outdoor play after dusk. Mosquito feeding increases as the sun sets. Staying indoors during this time will reduce your exposure to mosquito bites.
Use insect repellent on yourself and your family. According to the CDC, those containing DEET are among the most effective and longest-lasting. A product containing 23 percent DEET provides about five hours of protection from mosquito bites.
Human insect repellents are not licensed for use on cats and dogs. Since products applied to the coats of pets are usually licked off and ingested, it is best to avoid their use. Anecdotally, a certain bath oil is said to provide insect repellent properties, but this has not been scientifically proven.
Remember Fido?s and Fluffy?s monthly heartworm prevention. Heartworms are blood parasites that are virtually 100 percent preventable, but the medicine must be given every month.
A common mistake is to discontinue heartworm prevention at this time of year. The mosquitoes can be active for many more months. Don?t let mosquitoes bug you this fall.
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Dr. Heidi Bassler practices at Bassler Veterinary Hospital (www.BasslerVet.com). She hosts a radio show, ?Your Pet?s Health,? every Sunday morning at 8:30 on AM-1450 WNBP. Do you have questions for Dr. Bassler? Send them to heidibasslerdvm@comcast.net.
Source: http://www.generalnightmare.com/2012/10/04/protect-your-pets-while-outdoors/
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