What are Mosquito Bites?
Pets are often targets for mosquito during the warmer months. Mosquitoes are tiny insects that breed in water which can range from tide water pools, sewage effluent ponds, ditches or bird baths in order to survive. They live in places that are humid with high temperatures, and over 150 different species of mosquitoes can be found in the United States. Only the adult female mosquito feeds on animals and humans while the male mosquito feeds on plants. The female has to feed on an animal to obtain enough blood to produce eggs. Without a blood meal, the mosquito will die. Mosquitoes spread diseases such as the West Nile virus and heartworm disease. Although West Nile virus is rare, dogs and cats can develop this disease and symptoms include fever, lethargy, muscle weakness, spasm, paralysis, seizures or depression. Heartworm disease can be transmitted by the bite of a mosquito and is a serious, life threatening disease that frequently affects dogs and cats. Mosquitoes carry parasitic worms
