To better understand, prevent and treat diseases passed from insects to people, the Cornell University-led Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases will launch later this month, thanks to a $10 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, January 11, 2017. The center will have six applied research … [Read more...]
Search Results for: mosquito
Dogs not a reservoir for Zika virus – so far
There is no indication that dogs harbor the Zika virus which might allow a mosquito to pick it up when it bites a dog and then inject the virus into a person. To date,, there are no reported cases of Zika virus in dogs or other animals in the U.S. This may change as continued research and testing is completed. Zika virus is related to the West Nile virus. Source: Capital … [Read more...]
Equine WNV Diagnoses Increasing
Horses in three states recently tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV): two in New York, one in Oklahoma and five in Wisconsin, according to officials at the Equine Disease Communications Center. Source: The Horse, September 13, 2016. In addition to vaccinations, horse owners also need to reduce the mosquito populations and their possible breeding areas. Recommendations … [Read more...]
4 surprising flea-transmitted diseases you need to know
Unlike ticks, fleas don’t seem all that threatening. Mostly, we see the tiny bloodsuckers as a nuisance for pets and for us, not a serious threat to anyone’s health. Don’t dismiss them. Learn how fleas can transmit a surprising number of diseases to animals and humans. Source: Pet MD, September 12, 2016. Fleas can cause serious harm to you and your pet’s health through … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Parasitology experts discuss vector control
Ceva recently announced the second phase of a study by John McCall, MS, PhD, which examines the effects of topical repellent-insecticide plus oral heartworm preventive on development of heartworm disease. The results support using a topical parasiticide to repel and kill mosquitoes, rather than relying solely on an oral heartworm preventive. Ceva’s educational campaign elements … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Multimodal approach needed in heartworm prevention
Phase 2 of a groundbreaking study by John McCall, MS, PhD, demonstrates a great need to change the approach to fighting the rising incidence of heartworm infection in dogs. New data shows that blocking transmission from dogs to mosquitoes and from mosquitoes to dogs, using repellents/insecticides and macrocyclic lactone preventives are part of a multimodal approach. McCall's … [Read more...]
New AAEP external parasite and vector control guidelines
Developed by an AAEP task force chaired by Dr. Dennis French, new guidelines provide current information about the control of ticks, flies, lice, mites and mosquitoes. Source: Healthy Horses Newsletter, July 21, 2016. Download as a PDF; these guidelines will soon be available on www.aaep.org within the Guidelines section. INSIGHTS: This is a comprehensive set of guidelines … [Read more...]
CAPC; Lyme, heartworm risk expanding
Animal health professionals must stay current on the disease risks from lyme, heartworm, Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. Client education in regions where disease risk has been low is critical to disease prevention. Source: JAVMA, June 15, 2016. A forecast published this spring warns that ticks transmitting Lyme disease have expanded their range, increasing the disease … [Read more...]
Insect repellents in the age of Zika
Humans and animals get diseases from ticks and mosquitoes. The article provides the latest information about various vector-borne diseases and a rating of human insect repellents. Combining insect repellents for humans with repellents for animals will lower disease transfer risks for all. Source: Consumer Reports, July 2016. Three insect repellents qualified as Consumer … [Read more...]
Ticks, ticks, ticks and more
Ticks are second only to mosquitoes in the number of diseases they transmit. With tick populations growing and their proclivity to carry and transmit disease, it is critical to prevent them from feeding on pets and people. The information in this series of articles is comprehensive and understandable. All animal health pros can benefit from a deeper knowledge of ticks, … [Read more...]
CEVA increases commitment to heartworm education
Ceva Animal Health is stepping up its commitment to the American Heartworm Society by becoming a Platinum sponsor along with Bayer, Elanco, Merial, Virbac and Zoetis. “This is an especially appropriate time for Ceva to show our support, as we believe the emphasis on the importance of fighting both heartworms and the vectors that carry them is more important than ever … [Read more...]
Here come the bugs!
The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) gazed into the future and doesn’t like what’s coming. Its computer models for 2016, released April 19, predict growing threats to dogs and cats from multiple vector-borne diseases. Source: Veterinary Practice News, April 19, 2016. For the entire year, CAPC predicts: Growing risk of Lyme disease in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and … [Read more...]
Local DVM recommends year-round prevention
Lawrence Gerson, VMD, shares his perspective and recommendations for heartworm and other parasites. He references the recent attention to mosquitoes and the Zika virus, the need for year-round prevention and its benefits on other parasite threats to pets and humans. Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 23, 2016. (via AVMA SmartBrief, April 25, 2016) Dogs can be bitten by … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Hit heartworm with a one-two punch
Heartworm incidence in pets is increasing. John McCall, MS, PhD, Department of Infectious Diseases at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, says it’s time for a new approach – fight the vector, or mosquitoes, as well as heartworms. Ceva Animal Health began an extensive campaign to educate the veterinarian community on McCall’s groundbreaking research … [Read more...]
What’s the buzz?
Barb Crabbe, DVM, discusses the three main threats mosquitoes pose to horses: Eastern equine encephalomyelitis Western equine encephalomyelitis West Nile virus These diseases are part of five diseases recommended for annual vaccinations from the AAEP core vaccination guidelines. The others are rabies and tetanus. Source: Horse and Rider, April 2016, pages 52-59. … [Read more...]
Local conditions affect West Nile Virus spread
Carried by birds, predominately crows and jays, West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted by mosquitos. Rainfall and land cover affect the incidence of disease, according to Mississippi State University researchers. Local land areas with a greater variety of vegetation and landscape seem to reduce the incidence according to the study. Vaccination is still critical to prevent … [Read more...]
Heartworm prevention requires compliance
While exercising today, I heard a familiar buzzing sound. It was a mosquito. In February. It’s a a stark reminder that heartworm prevention needs to be in place 12 months a year. This article and handout linked to it can help restart compliance discussions. Source: DVM 360, February 2, 2016. Whether your clients just don't realize the risk and serious implications of … [Read more...]
Understanding heart disease in cats
Suzanne Cunningham, DVM, assistant professor of cardiology at Tufts, does a nice job in this article of helping cat owners understand and identify potential feline heart disease. She reminds readers that heartworm disease is diagnosed in about 10 percent of cats these days. It should be considered as a threat to feline health, especially where hot, damp climates encourage … [Read more...]