Dogs are a handy meal service for mosquitoes. While a dog’s thick haircoat can be a deterrent, the shorter hair on muzzles, ears, and groin area are easy access feeding spots for mosquitoes.
Along with an itch, a bite from a mosquito can transfer serious health problems. The best known and most common health hazard for dogs from mosquito bites is heartworm. At least 25 species of mosquitoes can transmit heartworm to susceptible dogs.
Reduce Bug Bites on a Dog
Reducing exposure to mosquitoes starts with your dog’s environment. Get rid of any stagnant water sources on your property. Mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water. Empty kiddie pools daily, dump old tires or buckets holding rainwater, and so on. If you have a pond on your property, consider using natural mosquito control such as releasing dragonflies.
Although mosquitoes may bite at any time, like during a walk through a moist, cool wooded area, it’s wise to keep your dog in at dawn and dusk, which are prime mosquito feeding times.
Mosquito Repellent for Dogs
Some monthly topical flea/tick treatments, like Vectra 3D and K9 Advantix II, repel mosquitoes as well as fleas and ticks. (Note: See below for information on heartworm preventatives.)
In addition, there are numerous herbal and natural products that help to repel mosquitoes. Buzzguard is a natural product that helps deter mosquitoes. Other good products include Vet’s Best and Wondercide. You may also want to try neem oil.
As always, these products should be tested first on a small area of your dog’s skin to be sure he does not have an allergic reaction.
Remember, as you have probably experienced yourself, no mosquito repellent is 100% effective, so you should still use a heartworm preventive and still reduce mosquitoes in the environment.
How Dogs Get Heartworm
A mosquito picks up heartworm when it bites a heartworm-infected dog or other animal. As the mosquito sucks up the blood, it also takes in immature heartworms, called microfilaria, which are in the blood of the animal it bites.
In the mosquito, microfilaria develops into infective larvae. This can take up to 10 to 14 days. Then, when the mosquito feeds again, it deposits those infective larvae on the skin of its victim. The larvae migrate into the bite wound and infect the animal bitten.
Early symptoms of heartworm in dogs are lethargy, a cough, and weight loss.
Heartworm Prevention in Dogs
Heartworm preventives are available with a prescription from your veterinarian. Your dog should have a screening test to be sure he is free of heartworms before you start him on a preventive. It is important to realize that heartworm cases have been found across North America. Mosquitoes can get into our homes and bite during the winter months. The American Heartworm Society recommends doing preventives all year round.
Other Mosquito-Spread Diseases in Dogs
While heartworm disease is more common and takes time to become a clinical problem, other mosquito-spread illnesses can show up quickly and be rapidly fatal. These include viruses that are more commonly associated with birds or horses.
West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis virus, and Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus can cause serious illness in dogs, though many canine cases are mild. Neurologic signs are common. Bird and horse cases in your area may lead your veterinarian to suspect these viruses if your dog becomes ill. Treatment for these viral illnesses is supportive.
