Jenn wrote:Do ya'll just not have mosquitoes, as a general rule?? Or is it the TYPE of mosquito, the winters are so cold, just curious as to why as a general rule it isn't there?
SisMorphine wrote:For a dog to get HW this is what has to happen:
A HW positive dog must get bitten by a mosquito and ingest some microfilaria. The microfilaria then must fester within the mosquito for 2 days and then that mosquito must bite another dog. If the temp at anytime in that two day period goes below 47 then the microfilaria in the mosquito will die off and it can't be transferred. Though we have hot summers, due to the fact that our springs and falls typically have nights under 47 degrees (nevermind the winters), HW doesn't really survive well up here.
But after talking with my friend who does mosquito research in MA she said that the problem seems to be two-fold: first is the number of dogs being imported from the south. Easier to get puppies from the south since spay/neuter is so pushed up here, and many "shelters" and "rescues" focus on puppies from the south instead of helping local dogs since puppies are easier to move. Combined with the fact that some people's basements stay over 47 degrees and are mosquito breeding grounds over the cooler months.
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but I don't see how transporting a dog could cause the HW rate to increase in the area?? Unless you're just meaning those dogs are increasing the statistics because they already had them??
Jenn wrote:I'm genuinely trying to "grasp" my head around this, not questioning you per say.
Cause as I read that, the dogs in the South have to be HW+ and because they are bringing them else where, they are getting bit by the mosquito and biting dogs not born in the South?? I just don't understand how that could be a factor... By that logic, the rescued Southern dogs are HW+?? However, they have to get the HW the same way. OF course there are WAY more mosquitoes, hotter climates, etc. but I don't see how transporting a dog could cause the HW rate to increase in the area?? Unless you're just meaning those dogs are increasing the statistics because they already had them??
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