Johnson: Pets in danger from mosquitoes

The skies darken, the air becomes dense and the heat of the day is perforated by chilly winds. Before long, it’s downright torrential and vehicles are seeking the high centers of roads to avoid trying to chug through the deep water collecting in the right-hand lanes — yes, rain does happen in the High Plains, and when it occurs, it’s an event that can be hard to ignore.

As glorious as all the sunshine is, rain is welcome relief from the heat and dry air of New Mexico summers, but more important, even a little bit of

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rain can do magic that sprinklers have to work overtime to achieve.

The area may go into a storm looking drab and brown, but seemingly within hours of a good downpour everything looks greener.

Like a child’s toy that expands and takes shape when placed in water, this is a region that responds quickly to the presence of moisture, using every drop to its advantage.

Even when the sun comes back and things return to normal, after every storm there is a flurry of activity taking place and in an area where water is in short supply, rain stimulates all kinds of life, one of the most unfortunate of which are mosquitoes.

Given their prolific presence after a few rainstorms, it might be surprising to hear the state insect is actually the tarantula wasp, and not, in fact, the mosquito.

Spawning pretty much anywhere water collects, mosquito eggs hatch 24 to 48 hours after being laid. About two weeks later they — more than 100 offspring per female — are airborne and looking for grub.

Even more unfortunate, we are the food.

Aside from the unpleasant and itchy welts they leave behind; avoiding the little bloodsuckers has taken on even more importance with attention to the Zika virus increasing around the world.

Luckily, with the exception of the southern-most part of the state, New Mexico is classified as low-risk for mosquito-born Zika transmission, however there are still plenty of reasons to keep them away.

It’s also important to remember that pets are just as vulnerable to mosquito bites as people and face some unique risks.

For cats and dogs, heartworm — a parasite which mosquitoes can carry from infected to healthy dogs and cats — can cause numerous issues including respiratory problems, vomiting, loss of consciousness, exercise intolerance and if left untreated, can ultimately result in death.

West Nile, a virus transmitted by mosquitoes, can affect pets and people alike, causing flu-like symptoms and in less-common cases where it reaches the brain or other organs, can cause death.

Although Zika is of concern for humans, particularly because of its potential to cause birth defects, there has been no evidence of it causing illness in animals. Caution is still advised however, because more research is needed, according to the CDC.

As with most things, prevention is the key to reducing mosquito related illnesses for pets.

• Empty or drain standing water around the home

• Clear weeds and thick brush which harbor mosquitoes

• Be sure windows are screened

• Avoid walking pets in marshy areas

• Keep pets inside as much as possible, especially in early morning and late evening

• Treat pets with animal specific insect repellents

• Talk to your veterinarian about medications to prevent heartworm and other conditions

• Watch for symptoms indicating a pet may be ill and seek treatment sooner than later

Mosquitoes are a nuisance and health hazard for humans and animals alike, but with planning and a little effort this summer, you can ruin their fun rather than the other way around.

Sharna Johnson is a writer who is always searching for ponies. You can reach her at:

[email protected]