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West Nile Virus in Dogs and Cats
West Nile Virus in Dogs and Cats
Learn how dogs and cats are affected by West Nile Virus
and how to protect your pet from becoming infected.
Aug 20, 2004
Can Fido or Kitty get West Nile virus? Yes, but it is extremely
rare and very unlikely your pet will get it. According to
the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and research
posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
dogs and cats exposed to West Nile virus will often test positive
for exposure to the disease but most will not display any
clinical symptoms or behavioral changes.
Cats are more likely than dogs to show minor signs of infection,
especially mildly elevated temperatures and lethargy, but
neither animal has been shown to exhibit neurological problems.
Both dogs and cats developed titers of West Nile Virus when
bitten by infected mosquitoes or fed infected birds or mice;
however, they are not considered to be natural hosts for further
spreading the disease. Dogs especially are unlikely to serve
as amplifying hosts since the virus level appears to be low
in infected dogs. Cats, although not as effective as birds
to serve as hosts for West Nile Virus, appear to be capable
of infecting mosquitoes, although it is unclear whether the
virus levels in their bloodstream are at a high enough level
to do so.
There is no vaccine or specific treatment for dogs or cats
infected with West Nile Virus. Pet owners who are concerned
about their pets displaying symptoms consistent with West
Nile Virus should consult their veterinarians. Worried pet
owners should know there is no documented evidence of dogs
or cats transmitting West Nile Virus to a person. Preliminary
studies have not been able to detect West Nile Virus in the
saliva of infected dogs, so there does not appear to be a
risk of humans becoming infected through a dog or cat bite.
To prevent West Nile Virus and other mosquito-transmitted
diseases like heartworms, pet owners should take precautions
for their pets and keep them indoors during the peak mosquito-feeding
hours of early in the day, at dusk, and at night. Do not apply
DEET-based mosquito repellent on pets since it is a toxic
substance and can be ingested by licking. West Nile Virus
vaccines formulated for large animals, such as horses, should
not be given to small animals like dogs and cats. Pet owners
should consult their veterinarians for appropriate products
for their pets.
Pet birds are especially attractive to preying mosquitoes
and should be kept indoors. Pet birds like parrots, cockatiels,
and canaries are susceptible to West Nile Virus, though the
risk is low. Bird owners should take extra precautions to
ensure their window screens are in good repair before leaving
windows open and remove any standing water, excellent for
breeding mosquitoes, lying around the home.
For more information about West Nile virus in domestic pets
and horses, contact your local veterinarian or the California
Veterinary Medical Association at 916-649-0599. To access
past CVMA press releases, visit the CVMA Media Center in the
News Room at http://www.cvma.net.
The California Veterinary Medical Association is the largest
state veterinary medical association in the United States,
with more than 5,000 members. Founded in 1888, its mission
is to serve its membership and community through innovative
leadership and to improve animal and human health in an ethically
and socially responsible manner.
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