Let’s talk a little about West Nile Virus (WNV). West Nile Virus
is spread through the bite of infectious mosquitoes. The risk WNV poses to
companion animals is very small. The disease is more severe in horses, birds and
humans. While it is possible for cats and dogs to become infected with this
disease, infection rates are low in prevalent areas. In addition, the virus does
not usually cause severe illness in pets. According to the CDC website, there
have been a small number of infected dogs and only one infected cat reported in
2003. Most animals do not show symptoms after infection with WNV while others
can show a slight fever and act lethargic.
Aside from limiting exposure to mosquitoes, there is no known
prevention for cats or dogs. I would not recommend DEET-based repellents for
your pets, as they are recommended strictly for humans. These products are not
approved for veterinary use mostly because the animals will ingest them while
licking. There are some over the counter and some prescription preventives that
can be used to help protect and limit your pets exposure to mosquitoes. I
suggest discussing this with your veterinarian since both the age and health of
your pet will determine which preventative will best suite your pet. There are
no vaccines for dogs or cats available at this time, and there is no treatment
for the virus other than supportive care. Also, there is no evidence at this
time that the virus can be spread from animal to animal or from animal to
person.
All research leads us to believe WNV is an unlikely threat to
our pets. However, keeping your pet free of mosquitoes is still a good idea, if
not for health reasons, at least for their comfort. Your Veterinarian will help
map out the best path in keeping your pets comfortable during the upcoming
summer months.
