Got oaks? Heartworm-bearing bugs are nearby
May 13th, 2010, 2:41 pm · 3 Comments · posted by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor
Southern California dogs have for the most part avoided the dreaded heartworm because of dry weather conditions here. A lack of water means fewer pests to carry the roundworm to our pets.
But El Niño weather conditions have created a surge in population of rare western tree hole mosquitoes, which carry the heartworm parasite or Dirofilaria immitis.
The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District this season has trapped 300 western tree hole mosquitoes — known as Aedes Sierrensis. The district has previously collected only 30 of the mosquitoes in the past 17 years.
Orange County also sees its fair share of seasonal tree hole mosquitoes, according to lab director Robert Cummings at Orange County Vector Control District.
“This is an El Niño year, an above average year for rain, so we’ll probably see more of them in our canyon areas,” Cummings said Thursday.
The tree hole mosquito prefers to lay eggs in the holes of oak trees, Cumming said, so anyone who lives in an oak wood environment should take precautions when it comes to pets.
“These are day-biting mosquitoes,” he also noted, which means pets that spend sunny days outside are more likely to be exposed to the mosquitoes.
Tree hole mosquitoes have been noted in areas such as Coto de Caza, Black Star Canyon, Peters Canyon, Laguna Beach and the Ortega Highway area.
| Are you seeing “GIANT” mosquitoes? |
|---|
| Good news – those are not mosquitoes, but a close relative – the crane fly. Crane flies do not bite nor transmit disease. They only live a short time as adults and do serve as an important food source for birds (and household, bug-hunting cats). If they get inside the house, just take them back outside. |
Once an infected mosquito bites a dog, microscopic larvae move into the heart and lungs of the animal where they complete its development. The worms then fill up the dog’s heart and eventually kill the animal. While cats also can be infected with heartworms, dogs are much more susceptible.
Dog owners whose pets stay outdoors are encouraged by the veterinary community and vector control to protect their pet against heartworms with monthly oral treatments.
There is treatment for pets infected with heartworms, if symptoms are diagnosed early. Symptoms include:
- Severe infections of adult worms results in coughing, labored breathing, fatigue, loss of appetite and general weakness.
- In advanced stages of the disease, the heart becomes badly damaged, as does the liver and lungs. At this stage, recovery is difficult.
- Unfortunately, visible symptoms of the disease do not present themselves until the worms have reached the adult stage.
- The presence of immature worms (microfilariae) can only be detected by microscopic examination of blood samples.
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