Can Zika Affect Pets?

August 15, 2016

Zika. We haven’t been able to get away from this word recently. It’s been all over the internet and the news because our Olympians are currently at high risk of contracting the Zika virus.

While the Zika conversation has been ongoing, we haven’t heard much about whether or not Zika can affect our pets.

Recently, Dr. Ernie Ward, Jr. published a post on the Fetch blog from Petplan.com about Zika and how it can affect pets.

Here are my main takeaways from his article:

We don’t know for sure if dogs & cats can get the Zika virus. The research is not yet complete.
There is no available treatment or vaccine for the Zika virus for dogs or cats.
Zika is transferred through mosquito bites.
Most common in Asia & Africa, but these days we have seen more cases in Central & South America.
1600+ cases of Zika (in humans) have been reported in the U.S. as of the end of July
Most (almost all) of the reported cases were people who had traveled to affected areas.
At the end of July, the CDC officially cautioned pregnant women not to travel to Miami due to 14 confirmed cases.
We actually don’t know much about the Zika virus to date.

Can Zike Affect Pets? While research is limited, there are a few things you can do to keep your pets safe.

What can you do?

This information while helpful can be alarming. What do you mean we don’t know??!? What do you mean there is no treatment?!?!

It’s undoubtedly scary. So here is what we can do for our pets as of now:

1. Limit your pet’s exposure to mosquitos. Dr. Ward recommends:

Remove any standing water from flower pots, bowls or buckets to help eliminate mosquito breeding areas.

2. Protect your pet from other mosquito-borne diseases like heartworm

3. Keep yourself informed. The CDC has a Zika website where you can stay up to date on the most recent information and research.

I want to thank Dr. Ward for discussing such an important issue for our pets. I highly recommend reading his article to learn more about the disease and the types of mosquitoes that carry the disease.

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6 Comment

Reply
Kismet
August 15, 2016 at 1:25 pm

I don’t plan on flying over Miami. However, to stop mosquitos, you can’t have a green pool full of algae.
Kismet recently posted…We must be doing something right
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Two French Bulldogs
August 15, 2016 at 4:59 pm

That Zika virus is quite scary
Lily & Edward
Reply
M. K. Clinton
August 15, 2016 at 5:09 pm

I read an article about Zika and dogs so it might have been this one. We have had cases here but not like in Florida. It is inevitable though so I’m hoping it doesn’t affect pets too.
M. K. Clinton recently posted…A Surprise Package from Natural Balance
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Leigh
August 19, 2016 at 8:09 am

Definitely scary! It’s a good thing I’m not planning on going to Florida or any of the other affected areas, but it’s too bad we don’t know more.
Leigh recently posted…7 Best Pet Cameras That Dog & Cat Owners Love
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Pawesome Cats
August 20, 2016 at 4:09 am

We get a lot of mosquitos here in summer – but Zika doesn’t seem to be a threat thankfully. It’s always a good idea to well informed though so we can protect our pets.
Reply
Two French Bulldogs
October 25, 2016 at 8:41 am

Thank you for all the good info
Snorts,
Lily & Edward