DON’T BITE MY DOG!

Sydney 20  September, 2009

Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes, which are present nearly year-round. Dog mosquito bites are caused by pesky little mosquitoes feasting on a dog’s skin. Dogs are not as easy to target as humans but they can be a threat. Mosquito attacks on your dog can make them uneasy, disoriented, and sick and can affect their breathing and movement. Appropriate and regular heartworm treatments to prevent heartworm infection are essential. If you do not treat your dog, then heartworms transmitted by mosquitoes can cause major health concerns in the dog’s cardiovascular system. Should you become concerned about your dogs discomfort from potential mosquito bites, then a visit to a vet is recommended after 24 hours of observation.

Each year thousands of dogs become disabled or die from lung, heart or circulatory problems caused by heartworm disease. The adult worms live in the right ventricle of the heart and adjacent blood vessels, and because of their location, are commonly called “dog heartworms.” Further development and risk can only take place when mosquitoes feed on a dog. As the infected mosquito feeds on a dog, the infective larvae emerge from the tip of the proboscis and on to the skin of the animal. A drop of mosquito blood protects the larvae from drying prior to their entry into the host. The infected larvae penetrate the skin through the puncture wound that remains after the female mosquito withdraws her mouthparts. Visible signs of heartworm disease may not appear until a full year after being bitten by infected mosquitoes. In fact, the disease may be well advanced before the dog shows any symptoms. Dogs with typical heartworm fatigue easily, cough and struggle. Blood and worms from ruptured vessels may be coughed up. Blockage of major blood vessels can cause your much loved dog to collapse and they will die within a few days.

To prevent your dog being bitten by a mosquito, it is important to empty any stagnant sources of water. Stagnant water is where mosquitoes thrive, therefore it is essential to keep a drinking bowl away from a sleeping area and to ensure that you empty a drinking bowl daily and refill with fresh water.

Dogs that sleep inside from dusk and dawn are generally safe from mosquito bites. This is when mosquitoes are most active. If your dog sleeps outside, them you should be aware of the risks.
There are mosquito repellents for dogs but do not use products that contain DEET on dogs. Yeast, vitamin supplements and even fresh garlic have been known to be effective resistance builders among dogs or you may consider installing a MozzieXit Mosquito Trap near your dog’s house or bed outside to protect them from mosquitoes during peak period when mosquitoes are most prevalent.

For more information about mosquito related diseases in dogs, talk to your vet. In the interim, why not protect your dog as you would any other much loved member of the family. Protect them with MozzieXit Mosquito Trap. It is safe and effective!

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