Should mosquitoes be feared for dogs?
Yes! Just like human beings, dogs can also get bitten by mosquitoes despite their fur coat. Generally, these insects manage to bite them in hairless or less hairy areas such as the inside of the ears, the top of the nose or the inside of the thighs. In addition to the inconvenience associated with the bite itself, which can cause a local reaction and itching, some mosquitoes are known to transmit parasites to dogs, which can seriously damage their he alth.
Among the vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, heartworm and leishmaniasis are the most feared in mainland France and Corsica.
Dirofilariasis is an infestation of the dog's heart and pulmonary artery by roundworms. These worms are transmitted to the dog by Culex pipiens, a mosquito which deposits the larvae of the parasite on the dog's skin when it bites the latter.
Leishmaniasis, on the other hand, is not strictly speaking a disease transmitted by a mosquito but by a small winged insect which very much resembles a mosquito and is called the sandfly. It is an incurable disease caused by the inoculation of a flagellated protozoan during a sandfly bite.
What are the risk areas?
The Culex pipiens mosquito is rampant all around the Mediterranean, in the Pyrenees, Corsica and Normandy. Overseas territories are also concerned. Areas bordered by fresh water are most at risk.
Sandflies are present in the South-East regions of France and in Corsica, although they are now found in the South-West as well as in the Rhône-Alpes region and are mainly active from April to October, at nightfall.
How to protect your dog effectively against mosquitoes?
To effectively protect your dog against mosquito and sandfly bites, it is highly recommended to:
To do this, it is recommended:
- not to take dogs out at dusk during high-risk periods, from April to October, in high-risk areas and not to let them sleep outside at night,
- not to mow your pet because its coat has a relative protective effect against bites,
- to connect fans in the room where the animal sleeps during high-risk periods and to install a mosquito-catching device there,
- to avoid opening the windows at night in periods and areas at risk or to equip the windows with mosquito nets (they are however not effective against sand flies due to their smaller size),
- to hunt for all containers that constitute stagnant water reservoirs near your home,
- to use a repellent product against sandflies and mosquitoes in risk areas. They are now available in necklaces or spot-on pipettes. Ask your veterinarian for advice to make sure that the chosen product is effective against the insect and that it is not contraindicated in your animal. Please note that these products are not 100% effective and do not exempt you from taking the aforementioned precautions.