West Nile is back in the valley. Though healthy cats and dogs are less susceptible to West Nile Virus, our pets can still be at risk especially if their immune system is compromised. People and horses are at much higher risk. A few tips from UC Davis school of Veterinary Medicine to reduce your risk of exposure to this mosquito borne virus: -Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. -Repair or replace all screens that have tears or holes. -Eliminate mosquito breeding sites from around your home (standing water). -Dont go outside in the early evening or at dawn. -If you are outdoors during those times, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. But bear in mind that mosquitoes can bite through thin cloth. -Consider using insect repellent (the CDC recommends using one with permethrin or DEET) on your skin and clothing, particularly if you live in a wet, low-lying area where mosquitoes might breed. But use insect sprays sparingly and cautiously. (This means never spraying repellents on children under the age of three or on the hands of children who might put them in their mouths.) DEET-containing products are not approved for pets and should not be used. It is very important not to use human insect repellent on your animal as it may cause poisoning. -Dispose of any unused outside water containers and drill holes in the bottom of containers that are left outdoors. Turn over plastic wading pools or wheelbarrows when not in use, and do not allow water to stagnate in birdbaths. -Clean clogged roof gutters regularly. -Ventilate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. -Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not in use. -If you have livestock, thoroughly clean their troughs every month. -Dont rely on ultrasonic mosquito-repelling machines or vitamin B to ward off bites
Posted on: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 16:23:14 +0000
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