Hello mule-ga!
Thank you for your question. Since I myself am personally watchful
with regards to West Nile Virus, your question caught my eye. I found
a lot of similar information on the topic, all of it very useful.
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First of all, mosquito-borne viruses that affect humans do also affect
animals, including dogs. However, evidence appears to indicate that
the effect is not extensive (good news for dog owners). According to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
“West Nile virus does not appear to cause extensive illness in dogs or
cats. There is a single published report of WN virus isolated from a
dog in southern Africa (Botswana) in 1982. West Nile virus was
isolated from a single dead cat in 1999. A serosurvey in New York City
of dogs in the 1999 epidemic area indicated that dogs are frequently
infected. Nonetheless, disease from WN virus infection in dogs has yet
to be documented.”
That information can be found by following this link:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/birds&mammals.htm
As West Nile Virus is hitting the state of Colorado particularly hard
this season, there is a wealth of information available on the Website
for “Fight the Bite Colorado” and there is a section there that is
particularly dedicated to information about dogs and cats. They have
similar information to that found on the CDC website. That information
is found here: http://www.fightthebitecolorado.com/dogs.htm
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Both sites also explain that transmission of the illness is the same
as it is with humans and therefore prevention is similar. There is no
documented evidence of West Nile Virus being transmitted from person
to person or animal to person. The virus is transmitted by infectious
mosquitoes. It is speculated (but undocumented) that dogs could become
infected by eating dead infected animals (for example, birds). But
again, that is undocumented.
And should an animal become infected with WNV (West Nile Virus), there
is no reason to euthanize the animal. Full recovery is likely. The
Colorado site does state in part, “Concerned pet owners should consult
with their veterinarian if their pets are exhibiting any unusual
symptoms.”
Another interesting site (New York City Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene) contains more specific information about dogs. You can
visit that site using this address:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/wnv/wnvfaq26.html
It states, “West Nile virus has been confirmed in some domestic
animals, including pet birds, dogs and cats. A study done in Queens in
1999 showed that 5% to 11% of dogs tested had been exposed to West
Nile virus, though none were clinically ill. It is important to
remember that pets with neurologic (sic) disease should be first
evaluated for other more likely causes of illness, including rabies.”
Information about Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is similar to that
of WNV. It appears that dogs are at even less of a risk of contracting
EEE than WNV. Horses are the most susceptible animals to the illness.
Transmission, symptoms, and prevention tips are the same for both.
Information about EEE and dogs can be found at:
http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/f_eee.htm
It states there that horses and some birds are most at risk and rarely
puppies.
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As for prevention, the protocol is mostly the same as it is for
humans. A list of prevention tips includes:
1. Avoid Standing Water. Be sure to check around your house for places
that may have standing water and clean them out. (Mosquitoes lay eggs
in still water and this tip will keep them from breeding in the first
place.) Well-maintained pools, where proper chemicals are used, are
not at risk. Stagnant water is the main breeding ground.
2. Keep pets indoors during dawn and dusk. This is when mosquitoes are
most active.
3. Reporting dead birds to your local health department is helps
reduce the risk of WNV. Dead birds are often an indication of the
virus circulating in the area.
And “Fellowship in the Interest of Dogs and their Owners” or FIDO
(clever, eh?) is another site that you may find useful. They
specifically list information and preventative tips relative to this
topic. They have useful information from the APCC (Animal Poison
Control Center). That brings me to the 4th preventative tip.
4. Humans are advised to use DEET. However, it is NOT advisable to use
DEET products on pets. The site says, “The APCC does not recommend the
use of mosquito-control products that contain DEET. Dogs--and cats,
too--are extremely sensitive to DEET and may develop neurological
problems if a product formulated with DEET is applied to them.” They
go on to also advice, “Avoid using pest-control products with
concentrated essential oils such as tea tree, pennyroyal and
d-limonine. Not only can concentrates of these products cause
weakness, paralysis, liver problems and seizures in pets, their
effectiveness has not been proven.”
That information can be found at:
http://www.fidobrooklyn.org/features/westnile.html
Additionally, the website
http://www.holisticvetpetcare.com/west-nile-virus.htm explains the
symptoms of west nile virus and has a homeopathic remedy they claim
will treat WNV:
“Symptoms of WEST NILE VIRUS in people, horses, birds and dogs can be
generalized, mild and flu-like with fever, chills, muscular/joint
pain; or can show serious signs of any of the following: infection of
the brain with incoordination, staggering, convulsions; pneumonia;
kidney failure; heart failure, rapid loss of weight, and death.”
They offer a homeopathic remedy called “West Nile Virus Nosode Vaccine
30C.” However, please note that when you read the fine print, you see
that their claims for their product have been called into question by
the USDA.
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Here are some additional helpful information centers for you:
Colorado West Nile Virus HelpLine: 1-877-462-2911 (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
daily)
CDC West Nile Virus InfoLines: 1-888-246-2675 (Open 24 hours a day)
If I can be of further assistance, please let me know. Thank you for
your question!
Boquinha-ga
Google Search Terms Used:
west + nile + dogs + prevention
DEET + dogs
Eastern + Equine + Encephalitis |
