Can mosquito bites make my dog sick? What about heartworm?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. It is possible for dogs to contract West Nile Virus (WNV) but they typically do not develop symptoms and it does not appear to cause any overt clinical symptoms in dogs, or cats for that matter. Lethargy, decreased appetite and fever are among some of the symptoms that can be seen with WNV infection. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Mosquito bites are usually not felt when they happen, so if your pup freaked it's possible she may have stepped on something or even gotten stung by an insect rather than a mosquito. Mosquito bites can cause itching and swelling at the site, however other bites and stings can also cause this. Keeping your dog on a heartworm preventive and monthly flea/tick medication can help prevent bites and infection before they start. If you suspect possible heartworm or wish to get started on heartworm medication you can get a test done through your veterinarian. This involves drawing a small amount of blood and then testing it - usually in clinic. However, it can take several months before an infected dog may show up positive on a test.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your school project. I am an associate veterinarian in Colorado Springs, CO. I have been in practice for 12 years. I recently saw. a case of heartworm disease. The dog was a 5 year old spayed female mixed breed dog. She was rescued from a group in southern Colorado. Thankfully she was not symptomatic for the disease and responded well to treatment. Heartworm disease is transmitted to dogs by mosquito bites. I hope this information helps!

Only infected mosquitoes have the potential to pass along heartworm disease to your dog. Symptoms may include a persistent cough, exercise intolerance, decreased appetite and weight loss. https://www.heartwormsociety.org/heartworms-in-dogs

Hi, I'm Dr. Johnson. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Poor Midnight Yes, heartworm disease is serious. Dogs get heartworm from being bitten by an infected mosquito. The mosquito injects microfilaria (baby heartworm) in to the skin when they bite the dog. It can then take 6 months to travel from the skin to the pulmonary artery. If they get a lot of heartworm they back up in to the heart (Caval syndrome). That is very serious because the adult worms have to be extracted from the heart via the jugular vein. Your other dogs can not get it from Midnight, only from a mosquito. You should have all your dogs tested then started on heartworm prevention. The gold standard of treatment is injectable adulticide as 3 injections. One is given then the other 2 a month later 24 hours apart. During treatment and 2 months after the 3rd injection the dog has to be strictly cage rested. The major risk of treating and HAVING heart worm is sudden death from clots to the lungs. Talk to your Vet about treatment options. I wish you the best!

Rabbits are not susceptible to heartworm infection. They can get other parasitic and bacterial infections though. Keep the area in and around the hutch clean to avoid attracting flies and wildlife. Monitor your rabbit for lethargy, loose droppings, or decreased appetite. Since rabbits can be sensitive to many different medications, it is always best to have a sick or injured rabbit physically examined by your veterinarian before any treatment or medication is administered.

Heart worms can be detected through a blood test that can be done at a veterinarian’s office. Heart worms are transmitted by mosquitoes...a mosquito harboring a life stage of the heartworm will transmit it to a dog by biting it. It is not passed from dog to dog through casual contact. Heartworm disease is easily prevented, so if your veterinarian can test your dog and he is negative....there are a number of heartworm preventative products available through your veterinarian. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach