I’m pretty sure we don’t all love those pesky mosquitoes. The itchy bites and buzz of mosquitoes when they fly near us are some of the most annoying. Humanity has been and will continue to strive in the process of eliminating mosquitoes from life, not only because their bites are annoying but also because they carry the risk of transmitting dangerous diseases to humans. dengue fever for example. Have you ever wondered if mosquitoes bite dogs and cats? Yes, mosquitoes bite dogs and cats just like us. Let’s take a closer look with Fetch.
Heartworm disease in dogs & cats
Mosquitoes carry heartworm parasites – a parasite that enters the pet’s vascular system and eventually stays in the target organs of the heart and lungs, developing into adults and reproducing there. Heartworms in dogs and cats have a few different symptoms & effects that are further explored below.
Dog
Dogs are bitten by mosquitoes and transmit heartworm larvae into the bloodstream. Here are 5 signs your dog has a heartworm infection:
1. Persistent cough
Unlike a common cough or kennel cough, where a dog coughs strongly and sporadically, a heartworm cough is a dry, persistent cough. In the early stages, even light exercise causes a dog to cough, as the heartworms are moving into the lungs creating blockages and irritation.
2. Lethargy
If your dog suddenly doesn’t want to go for a walk or do nothing at all, this could be a sign of heartworms. As the condition worsens, any activity becomes overwhelming for the baby.
3.Weight loss
When the heartworm condition becomes severe, the dog will seem to have no energy to perform even the simplest activities. Even eating becomes too difficult and thus leads to rapid weight loss.
Mid-stage symptoms of heartworm disease:
As heartworms mature, they colonize the host’s lungs and veins, causing severe obstruction and leading to the following symptoms:
4. Difficulty breathing
Along with the persistent cough, other symptoms similar to those of asthma occur in dogs. Fluid can also build up in the blood vessels around the lungs, making it harder for the lungs to get oxygen from the blood.
5. Bigger ribs
As fluid continues to build up and fill the lungs with fluid, the dog’s chest will grow larger. The ribs also appear to be more visible and larger due to the dog’s weight loss. This condition occurs as a result of the body’s fluid accumulation in response to the presence of the parasite.
Once the heartworm has fully matured in the dog’s heart and lungs, the dog will show extremely clear symptoms of heartworm disease, which unfortunately will carry long-term consequences for the dog’s health.
Late stage symptoms of heartworm disease
As with the early stages of heartworm disease, you’ll find your dog doesn’t want to eat, has a dry cough, and is lethargic. These symptoms will become more severe in the late stages, and complications of the disease begin to appear.
Cat
Cats are just as likely to be bitten by mosquitoes and transmit heartworm disease as dogs. But because cats are not the same host as dogs, the symptoms are not as obvious and the condition is not as severe as in dogs.
The most common clinical symptoms encountered when cats have heartworm infections include: – intermittent vomiting (sometimes with food or blood mixed up)
- Diarrhea
- Shortness of breath and shortness of breath
- Dry cough
(The symptoms above are easily confused with asthma or respiratory diseases in cats) - Not eat
- Lethargy and weight loss
In most cases, cats will survive for a long time after being infected with heartworms, before dying from some disorder due to the disease. In the case of an acute illness, the cat will die suddenly.
Unfortunately, heartworm disease in cats – unlike dogs – cannot be cured. The drugs used to treat heartworms in dogs are too toxic and can kill cats.
How to protect pets from mosquitoes? Can the owner use mosquito incense or insect spray?
To prevent mosquitoes from pets:
Always use products made for heartworms
It doesn’t matter what type of heartworm product and treatment you and your veterinarian choose to protect your pet at home, as long as your baby is used for the right course and for the duration to be protected from mosquitoes.
Some owners choose to use drugs while others use natural organic products. But whichever product you choose, make sure it works.
Heartworms can be fatal in dogs (rarely in cats), so it is important for owners to be able to assess the degree of protection given by medication. There’s no perfect way to protect your pet from mosquitoes, so heartworm protection can be your pet’s last line of defense.
Let your baby stay indoors more, especially when there are many mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn, so it’s best for dog walks to avoid these times when there aren’t too many mosquitoes around (owners don’t usually walk cats, so if you If you have this habit, you should also apply the above advice).
Keep your baby indoors as much as possible, always keeping doors and windows closed. If your home has a net, check it regularly to repair or seal any holes that mosquitoes can get through.
Use pet-safe bug sprays Do not use mosquito sprays or sprays intended for humans as they are toxic to pets. There are insect sprays specifically designed for dogs and cats on the market, and your veterinarian can advise you on the right one.
You can consult your veterinarian for advice on using natural organic products to protect your pet. There are several natural pet sprays that contain eucalyptus oil, geranium oil, soybean oil, thyme, clove oil, and neem oil.
Again, DO NOT use any products before you get your vet’s approval.
clean stagnant water ponds
Mosquitoes breed in puddles of standing water, including puddles, ponds, outdoor dog pots, and birdbaths. Any place where rain or irrigation water collects can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. If your home has items like the ones listed above, be aware that these are mosquito breeding grounds and your pet will be more likely to be bitten by mosquitoes near them.
You may want to consider minimizing the amount of water in your home.
Planting plants that repel mosquitoes
There are some plants that have the effect of repelling insects naturally, planting a few pots in the house will help protect your pet from mosquitoes better.
Well-known plants for repelling mosquitoes include lavender, catnip, basil, lemon basil, mint, and rosemary.
summary
As we just analyzed, mosquitoes are not only annoying and dangerous to people but also to pets (unfortunately, dogs are more at risk from heartworms).
Owners can use the tips above to protect their pets from mosquito bites. But we also know that it is not possible to completely protect them from this annoying insect, fortunately there are several products on the market that are able to protect and kill the parasites on pets, you can consult. Consult your veterinarian to choose the most suitable product for your baby.