University
Commons Animal Clinic
1827 Wehrli Road , Naperville, IL 60565. Phone:
630-544-3333 |
|
The
disease is blood borne and is usually transmitted by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes
become infected after feeding on the blood of carrier birds and then transmit
the disease to humans and other animals.
Horses
and birds, especially crows, blue jays and raptors, are susceptible to the
disease.
Less
then 1% of mosquitoes are carriers, and less than 1% percent of people who are
bitten and become infected will become severely ill.
Fatality rates range from 3% to 15%. People and animals with weak immune
systems and those who are debilitated, as well as the very young and very old,
are at risk of developing severe cases of the disease.
Healthy
animals and humans will have transient mild illness (fever, headache) at the
most. Signs of severe disease include high fever, pain, un-coordination,
depression, decreased appetite, difficulty walking, tremors, abnormal head
position, circling, and convulsions.
There are no vaccines approved for small animals. Owners should minimize their pets' exposure to mosquitoes by taking actions aimed at reducing the number of mosquitoes around the home and neighborhood (eliminating standing water, maintaining windows and screens) and at protecting the animals from mosquito bites (avoiding dusk and dawn exposure). There are a few mosquito repellents for pets that can be used safely, however, any other products may be toxic and must be avoided.
