New Member

Posts: 8
From:Little Chute,Wisc 54140
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-24-2003 06:49 PM         

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I'm not sure if this has been covered or not yet, so I'll ask.....
As a treat for my spoiled fur kids I take them outside into my enclosed garden with leashes on and let them explore while I work in the garden.(Everyday) They are never left unattented ever.
But now as its full blown mosquito time I'm worried about my cats and my dog getting the the west nile virus. They all take the once a month Heartguard plus and I use the once a month Frontline on them. But I'm not sure if this is enough. I considered not bringing them out, but that is NOT an option as they have me trained and sit at the window and cry.(I know I really need to get a life as my sister tells me)
I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on this subject.

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Member

Posts: 68
From:Cleveland, OH, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-25-2003 09:29 AM         

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Hi there - I work at a vet clinic and let me tell you that you're not the first person to have this concern. Having your fur kids up to date and vaccinated as well as on heartgard and frontline - you are ahead of the game.
West Niles disease is carried by only infected mosquitos that carry the virus. The only cases of animals that lose their life to this diease are either very young or already sick in some way. If your animals have a strong immune system they are very unlikely to die from this disease *IF* they are bitten by an infected misquito.
Since your "kids" are adults that are up to date on all their vaccinations and protected to some degree with the frontline (which only helps repel fleas and misquitos that bite them) they are very unlikely to die from West Niles and you should continue your daily outings as usual without fear.

Just make sure your dog and cats are up to date on all vaccinations and that their immune systems are within normal limits.
Have fun outside together! Hope this helps.

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New Member

Posts: 8
From:Little Chute,Wisc 54140
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-25-2003 07:03 PM         

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Thank you for your reply. I do have one little boy who is kind of sickly and continues to give me problems. We are at the vet's at least once a month. I think I'll find out about getting some kind of cat vitamin for him(he is my baby)
Thanks again-that does make me feel better. And yes my furry kids are up to date on all vaccinations.
I was wondering:Is there anything better than frontline that would protect against west nile?

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Member

Posts: 68
From:Cleveland, OH, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-25-2003 10:06 PM         

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Better than frontline? - not with my knowledge. I think that it works the best. However it works best if you bathe your cat, wait 12 hours than apply. After that, its good for a solid month. Remember though - it only kills fleas and mosquitos(including ones with West Niles virus) once they have landed on kitty and taken a bite. It is not a misquito repellant. Hope that helps!

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