West Nile

Keywords:
virus, mosquitoes, africa, middle east, asia, infection, west, nile, arbovirus, blood, horses, immune, prevention, vaccinate

West Nile

West Nile

I am sure you've heard about it on the evening news. But if you're like most Americans, you probably don't fully understand what all the concern is about, West Nile virus.

This virus is known as an arbovirus, which means it is spread by arthropods. Insects. It was originally identified in Uganda in 1937 and can now be found throughout Africa, Eastern Europe, west Asia, the Middle East and in almost all of the United States.

In the summer of 1999, 7 people in the New York City area had died of encephalitis, inflammation of the brain and at least 55 others were sickened. At the same time, crows and exotic birds at the Bronx zoo were also dying of an unusual brain infection. A veterinary pathologist, working with the national veterinary services laboratory was able to link the two seemingly unrelated occurrences to the same agent. West Nile virus.

How the disease was originally introduced into the United States in unclear but it is believed that migratory birds were the culprits. The disease is not spread directly from person to person or animal to animal. For spread of the virus to occur, a mosquito bite is typically needed. The mosquito obtains a blood meal from an affected bird and then injects a small amount of the infectious agent into its next animal victim.

West Nile virus most commonly affects birds and horses, rarely cats, dogs, pet birds and people. Less than 1% of people bitten by an infected mosquito become ill. Signs can be mild flu-like symptoms in people to incoordination, weakness or death in horses and birds. There is no specific treatment for this viral induced encephalitis. Supportive care is key while the immune system grapples with the infection.

So why am I telling you about a disease that mainly affects horses and birds while you`re seated in your veterinarian's office? You can play a critical role in slowing down the spread of this disease. Prevention of mosquito bites is of paramount importance.

Eliminate standing water in your yard. Keep your window screens in good repair. Dress appropriately and apply an insect repellant to yourself and your pets when you venture outside. Always read labeled directions before applying insecticides. Products that may be safe for a dog may be highly toxic to a cat. If you own a horse, get it vaccinated. At this time, there are no vaccines available for other species.

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Daily Pet News


Should Your Pet Sleep in Your Bed?
IS SLEEPING WITH YOUR PET DANGEROUS? VETERINARIANS DON’T ALWAYS AGREE HERE, BUT HERE IS ONE DISEASE THAT CAN BE CAUGHT FROM YOUR PET. CHAGAS DISEASE IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY DISEASE THAT IS CAUSED BY SCRATCHING INSECT BITES, ALLOWING INSECT FECES TO ENTER THROUGH A BREAK IN THE SKIN. SLEEPING IN THE SAME BED INCREASES YOUR CONTACT WITH YOUR PET AND THUS INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF SOME DISEASE. HAVING SAID THAT, IF YOU HAVE A HEALTHY PET THAT IS UP TO DATE ON WELLNESS EXAMS FROM THE VETERINARIAN AND IS UP TO DATE ON SHOTS AND MEDICATIONS, SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD NOT BE OF CONCERN. AFTER ALL, YOU CAN’T CATCH A DISEASE FROM A PET THAT IS DISEASE FREE.

How to Avoid Pet Theft
PET THEFT IS ON THE RISE AGAIN THIS YEAR. THERE ARE SOME GREAT WAYS TO AVOID BEING A VICTIM. FIRST OFF, ADULT DOGS ARE AT JUST AS MUCH RISK AS PUPPIES. NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG UNATTENDED IN A CAR OR IN A PUBLIC PLACE. KEEP INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR RESIDENCE AND DOGS PRIVATE OR AMONGST YOUR TRUSTED FRIENDS AND FAMILY. GET A MICROCHIP IMPLANTED IN YOUR PET AND REGISTER IT. IN CASE YOUR DOG IS TAKEN, HAVE PICTURES AND INFORMATION READILY AVAILABLE.

When to Leave the Litter?
EVERYONE LOVES PUPPIES AND CAN’T WAIT TO TAKE ONE HOME, BUT VETERINARIANS WARN THAT THEY SHOULDN’T BE SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THEIR LITTER TOO YOUNG. A NEW STUDY AGREES AND SAYS THAT PUPPIES TAKEN BEFORE 2 MONTHS OF AGE ARE MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS AS ADULT DOGS. THE RESEARCH FOUND THAT PUPPIES REMOVED BEFORE 60 DAYS WERE MORE DESTRUCTIVE, BARKED EXCESSIVELY, WERE MORE REACTIVE TO NOISES, WERE MORE LIKELY TO BITE AND SOIL THE HOUSE.

My Pet's In Pain
IS YOUR PET IN PAIN? PAIN CAN OCCUR FROM AN ACUTE INJURY OR INFECTION, OR CAN BE FROM CHRONIC INFLAMMATION OR OTHER ISSUES. THERE ARE SOME OBVIOUS SIGNS SUCH AS YELPING OR LIMPING, BUT THERE ARE MANY MORE SILENT SIGNALS THAT CAN GIVE YOU AN INDICATION OF PAIN. IF YOUR PET PANTS EXCESSIVELY FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON OR HIDES FROM YOU OR IS LESS SOCIAL, CHANCES ARE IT IS SUFFERING. OTHER SIGNS INCLUDE ODD CHEWING OR LICKING. ANY CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR SUCH AS BEING MORE AGGRESSIVE OR LOOKING DEPRESSED ARE OTHER SIGNS THAT YOUR PET MAY NEED TO VISIT THE DOCTOR.

Horses and Colic
COLIC IN HORSES IS A VERY COMMON CONDITION, AND IS OFTEN TIMES VERY DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX. VETERINARIANS WILL NEED A DETAILED HISTORY, AND THEN A THOROUGH PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AS THE FIRST STEPS TO DIAGNOSIS. DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND, AND BLOOD TESTS WILL PROBABLY BE NEEDED. ABSORPTION STUDIES, FECAL EXAMINATION, AND RECTAL BIOPSY MAY BE WARRANTED IN SOME CASES. COLIC CAN BE VERY DETRIMENTAL TO A HORSE’S HEALTH AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT VETERINARIANS FIND OUT THE CAUSE AND TREAT THE HORSE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Do You Smell That?
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Let's Get Social
TO THE WORLD. ASIDE FROM A VERY SHORT ISOLATION PERIOD THAT YOUR VETERINARIAN WILL INFORM YOU OF, PUPPIES NEED TO LEARN SOCIALIZATION SKILLS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AND THAT INCLUDES INTERACTING WITH BOTH HUMANS AND ANIMALS. EARLY INTRODUCTIONS WILL ENCOURAGE ANIMALS TO REMAIN CALM AND FRIENDLY WITH ALL HUMANS AND ANIMALS. DOGS WILL ALSO BE HAPPIER IN GENERAL AND MORE CONTENT WITH THEIR SURROUNDINGS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY MAY BE. THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO GET YOUR PUPPY ON THE RIGHT TRACK. YOUR VETERINARIAN CAN HELP YOU FIND A DOG FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT OR TRAINER IN YOUR AREA.

Don't Declaw
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Children and Pet Safety
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Stop Biting That
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