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Mosquito hazard increases as dog days
of summer approach
“Dogs are just as likely to
contract the West Nile virus as humans are to contract canine distemper.”
Virus spreads to new animals ; West Nile
kills dog, 3 squirrels Chicago Tribune;
Chicago, Ill.; Sep 18, 2002; Lisa Black and Karen Mellen, Tribune staff
reporters;
"There may be other
dogs that have been exposed," Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University
of Illinois Director John Andrews told a USA Today reporter.
There is a West Nile vaccine, but it has been approved
for use only in horses. Vaccines for dogs and cats are currently being developed.
YOu must understand that your pets are not better protected agains wnv Their still flesh
and blood and thata's exactly what mosquitos are looking for!
Q. How do cats and dogs become infected with West Nile virus?
A. Dogs and cats become infected when bitten by an infected mosquito. There
is also evidence that cats can become infected with the virus after eating
experimentally infected mice. *
Q. Can I become infected with WNV if a dog with the virus bites me?
A. Preliminary studies have not been able to detect virus in the saliva of
infected dogs. This suggests that dog bites pose a low risk, if any, of
transmission of WNV from dogs to other animals or people.
Q. Is there a vaccine for cats or dogs?
A. No. not now
Q. Should a dog or cat infected with West Nile virus be destroyed?
A. No. There is no reason to destroy an animal just because it has been
infected with West Nile virus. Full recovery from the infection is likely.
Treatment would be supportive and consistent with standard veterinary practices
for animals infected with a viral agent.
Q: How long can a dog or cat be infected with
West Nile virus?
A: The answer is not known at this time.
Q: What should I do if I think
my dog, cat, or other pet might have West Nile virus?
A: While dogs and cats do not appear to suffer clinical illness from West
Nile virus, if you think your pet is ill you should see your veterinarian
promptly. Pets can develop neurologic diseases from many other causes, and these
should be ruled out before testing for West Nile virus is considered.
Veterinarians should contact the New York City or New York State Departments of
Health to arrange for testing of pets suspected of having West Nile virus
infection.
Q. Can I use insect repellent on my pets?
A. DEET-based repellents, which are recommended for humans,
are not approved for veterinary use
(largely because animals tend to ingest them when licking.)
“West Nile seems to carry a little longer season,” Holmes said. “In the past
year or two it seems to stick around a little longer.”
Holmes said that the virus’ activity in a given year is difficult to project. An
early cool spell in the fall could bring on an early decline, as colder weather
kills the mosquitoes that carry the virus from birds to humans.
Meanwhile, human infections with West Nile continue to climb. Since the disease
was first noticed in the United States in 1999, the number of people stricken
with it has increased each year, as has the number dying from the disease.
In Alabama, 49 human cases of West Nile — including three deaths — were recorded
in 2002. Officials counted 4,156 human West Nile infections nationwide last year
and 284 deaths from the disease.
As people become more aware of West Nile Virus, they often
become more eager for mosquito spraying in their neighborhoods.
Public health experts caution that no amount of spraying can completely control
mosquitoes or West Nile. The best way for people to avoid contracting the
disease is to avoid mosquito bites.
“Environmental control of the vector is very, very difficult,” Holmes said.
“Personal control is most important thing we can do.”
Source:www.annistonstar.com/news
Finaly
we do have an exclusive and natural solution to prevent mosquito to bite your
pets. to read more
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