Dogs and Mosquitoes

Hello Doctor,

I am moving to a house that I think may have a problem with mosquitos. Its hard for me to tell because any where I am I get eaten alive. When I went over to this house myself my daughter and sister were standing outside for all of 25 minutes and we all had over 8 bites each infact my sister had 13. So I am very concerend for my dog. I do have him on k9 advanticks and interceptor but I was wondering if this is still high risk for him. he is only 4 pounds and if something were to happen to him we would be so devestated he IS OUR FAMILY MEMBER NOT JUST A DOG. It was just around dusk time and the lawn was wet due to being worked on that day so I dont know if it is normally that bad. So my question is there something you would recommend for me to do? Should I choose a diffrent medicine? Is there something I can wipe him down with when I take him outside?  This house does have alot of trees in the front and back. Is this normal do most people live it areas like this and have dogs that are ok? I appriciate any advice you can provide. thanks in advance

[Thomas Dock, CVJ, Vet. Technician]

Hello!   I am so sorry to hear about your bad luck with all those darn mosquitoes!   Living in Central Indiana, we get a fair number, but I imagine that you have some pretty good sized ones down south!!

First, let me commend you on what you have done so far.  Advantix and Interceptor is a good combination as the Advantix helps to kill fleas and ticks and also offers a little bit in the way of repelling mosquitoes too.  The Interceptor will help kill any heartworm larvae that a mosquito might transmit to your little guy.  Just be sure to give it to him every month!  I wouldn't try to use something like wipes as you might dilute the efficacy of the Advantix with repeated wipings.

Unfortunately you live in an area of the country where heartworms (and the mosquitoes) are rampant.   The best thing to do is just what you are doing and make sure that he is tested for heartworms (blood test) each year.   The American Hearworm Society recommends annual testing, even if your pet takes his heartworm preventive faithfully year round.

Heartworms are a big problem across a good portion of the US and more than a quarter of a million dogs are diagnosed with heartworms each year.   Most of these cases are due to owner's forgetting their pets medications or choosing to ignore recommendations of their veterinarians.  The heartworm preventives have a GREAT track record of protecting dogs and in the extremely rare event that a pet develops heartworms, all of the pharmaceutical companies provide financial assistance for treating the dog.

Your chihuahua is very lucky that you are so concerned about his well being.  Continue to work with your family veterinarian and you should keep him safe and healthy for a very long time.  Good luck with the new house!!