West
Nile Virus and Dogs and Cats
NEW!!
*A
recent article (Austgen et al. Experimental
Infection of Cats and Dogs with West Nile Virus, EID, Vol.
10, no.1 Jan 2004) in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases
discusses WNV infection in dogs and cats in detail.
Q.
Can West Nile virus (WNV) cause illness in dogs or cats?
A. A relatively small number of WNV infected dogs (<40)
and only 1 WNV infected cat have been reported to CDC during 2003.
Experimentally infected dogs* showed no symptoms after infection
with WNV. Some infected cats exhibited mild, nonspecific symptoms
during the first week after infection--for the most part only
showing a slight fever and slight lethargy.
It
is unlikely that most pet owners would notice any unusual symptoms
or behavior in cats or dogs that become infected with WNV.
Q.
How can my veterinarian treat my cat or dog if they are/may be
infected with WNV?
A. There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. Full
recovery from the infection is likely. Treatment would be supportive
(managing symptoms, if present) and consistent with standard veterinary
practices for animals infected with a viral agent.
Q.
Does my dog/cat becoming infected pose a risk to the health of
my family or other animals?
A. There is no documented evidence of dog or cat-to-person
transmission of West Nile virus. The evidence suggests that dogs
do not develop enough virus in their bloodstream to infect more
mosquitoes. Cats develop slightly higher levels of virus in their
bloodstream, but it is unclear if this would be enough to infect
mosquitoes. It is very unlikely that cats would be important in
furthering the spread of the virus. *
If your animal becomes infected with WNV, this suggests that there
are infected mosquitoes in your area. You should take measures
to prevent mosquitoes from biting you (use repellent and wear
protective clothing.)
Veterinarians should take normal infection control precautions
when caring for any animal (Including birds) suspected to have
this or any viral infection.
Q.
How do cats and dogs become infected with West Nile virus?
A. Dogs and cats become infected when bitten by an infected
mosquito. There is also evidence that cats can become infected
with the virus after eating experimentally infected mice. *
Q.
Can I become infected with WNV if a dog with the virus bites me?
A. Preliminary studies have not been able to detect virus
in the saliva of infected dogs. This suggests that dog bites pose
a low risk, if any, of transmission of WNV from dogs to other
animals or people.
Q.
Is there a vaccine for cats or dogs?
A. No.
Q. Should a dog or cat infected with West Nile virus be destroyed?
A. No. There is no reason to destroy an animal just because
it has been infected with West Nile virus. Full recovery from
the infection is likely. Treatment would be supportive and consistent
with standard veterinary practices for animals infected with a
viral agent.
Q.
Can I use insect repellent on my pets?
A. DEET-based repellents, which are recommended for humans,
are not approved for veterinary use (largely because animals
tend to ingest them by licking.) Talk with your veterinarian for
advice about the appropriate product for use on your pet.
Additional
Information:
Home
West Nile Virus and Dead Birds
West Nile Virus, Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding
West Nile Virus Is A Risk You Can Do Something
About With A Few Simple Steps.
Cases of West Nile Human Disease
West Nile Virus and Dogs and Cats
West Nile Virus: Information and Guidance
for Clinicians
Insect Repellent Use and Safety
Symptoms of West Nile Virus
Testing and Treating West Nile
Virus in Humans
Blood Transfusion, Organ Donation and
Blood Donation Screening Information
Transmission of the West Nile Virus
