Contact: Jill A
Richardson, DVM, (217) 337-5030 (543)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center offers safety tips for pet owners during West Nile mosquito spraying.
(Urbana, IL) August 14, 2002 – As pesticides are sprayed in an effort to control the mosquito population that carry the West Nile virus, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center urges pet owners to take precautions to limit their pets’ exposure to the pesticides.West Nile virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, and can infect people and animals. Although the vast majority of infections have been diagnosed in birds, the virus has been reported in horses, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, and domestic rabbits. To help decrease the risk of West Nile Virus, many communities are taking steps to control the mosquito population through pesticide application. Although approved mosquito control pesticides pose low risks when used responsibly, the following tips are suggested to help limit pesticide exposure to companion animals.
Steps to Reduce Pet Exposure to Pesticides Used for Mosquito Control:
Know when pesticide spraying will take place in your community. Contact your local health department to find out exact time and date of spraying.
Keep pets indoors during times when pesticides are being sprayed. Elderly or debilitated animals or those with preexisting health conditions such as heart disease or asthma may be more sensitive to pesticides and chemicals.
Close windows and turn off window-unit air conditioners when spraying is taking place in the immediate area.
Bring pet dishes, toys, and other items inside during spraying. If these items have been accidentally exposed to the spray, wash the items with soap and water and rinse before reintroducing the items to your pets.
Horses, especially those with respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, should be kept in their stalls or in a lean-to during spraying.
Cover water troughs and water buckets.
Cover fishponds during spraying, as fish can be very sensitive to certain pesticides.
If you suspect that your pet is experiencing difficulties, contact your veterinarian immediately.
For more poison prevention tips, please visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's website at www.apcc.aspca.org.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, established in 1978 at the University of Illinois, is a 24-hour emergency veterinary poison hotline. The Center is staffed by twenty-five veterinarians including four board-certified veterinary toxicologists and ten certified veterinary technicians. Located in Urbana, Illinois, the specially trained staff provides assistance to pet owners and specific analysis and treatment recommendation to veterinarians pertaining to toxic chemicals and dangerous plants, products or substances 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In 2001, the Center handled over 65,000 cases. The Center also provides extensive veterinary toxicology expert consulting on a wide array of subjects includes legal cases, formulation issues, product liability and regulatory reporting. To reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline call 1-888-426-4435.