Have you heard of Kissing Bug Disease? Known officially as Chagas Disease it’s transmitted through nocturnal insects known as Kissing Bugs.

Chagas disease has infected millions of people in Central America, Mexico, and South America has made it’s way to Texas, but now it’s becoming prevalent amongst dogs in Texas.

How Chagas Disease is Transmitted

The parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) is the causative agent of Chagas disease. It’s a tropical disease that effects 8 million people across Mexico and Central and South America.

Most cases of Chagas are transmitted to humans from direct contact with the feces of an infected bug. Kissing bugs bite humans, suck their blood and then leave feces behind that may penetrate the skin.

Other ways people can get Chagas include:

• Organ transplantation
• Blood transfusion
• Congenital transmission (mother to baby)
• Consumption of uncooked contaminated food

So while it’s quite alarming that the disease has been spreading in the southern U.S. keep in mind the chances of you getting it directly from your dog are very slim.

Infection Rate in the United States

In the United States the infection rate is estimated to be between 300,000 and 1 million. Most human infections are likely due to exposure in Latin America. Both humans and dogs are succeptible to the disease.

Symptoms of Chagas Disease

Symptoms of Chagas disease in humans and dogs range from completely asymptomatic to acute myocarditis and sudden death to chronic progressive cardiac disease. There is no vaccine available for humans or dogs. Currently there are no Food and Drug Administration approved drugs available to U.S. citizens to treat Chagas. Many of the treatments available are only effective if the disease is caught in its early stages though the medications are generally not well tolerated.

Since the Texas Department of State Health began tracking the disease in 2013 only 19 human cases have been found.

Evidence That Disease Has Been Spreading, Especially Among Dogs

Researchers have found evidence that the disease has been spreading in Texas and New Orleans. The research team based at Texas A&M tested 205 shelter dogs in Texas, 9% of the dogs in every part of the state tested positive. The study only tested shelter dogs but it’s common amongst all dogs across the state. Shelter dogs had widespread exposure to T. cruzi across 7 ecologic regions in Texas, with a conservative statewide average of 8.8% seroprevalence. -CDC

Chances of Catching It From Your Are Dog Extremely Low

The chances of a dog passing the parasite onto his owner is very low. For the parasite to pass from a dog to a person it needs to go through the kissing bug. The only way a human can become infected through there dog is if the kissing bug bites the dog and then quickly moves onto bite the owner after the dog has been infected.

“The last thing we want to do is put a bad taste in people’s mouths about shelter dogs,” she says. “Shelter dogs are not posing a direct risk to humans.” – Dogs Carry Kissing Bug Disease in Texas & Latin America

If dogs in Texas are bitten by a kissing bug the chances of the bug carrying the parasite that causes Chagas are quite high. Seven species of these kissing bugs known as Triatoma have been found across the state. Keeping your dog indoors or in an outdoor enclosed kennel can reduce the risk of your dog coming into contact with kissing bugs.

Dogs Susceptible to Catching the Kissing Bug

Dogs arriving at shelters, particularly stray dogs, are susceptible due to their prolonged exposure to the outdoors which leads to a much higher exposure rate to vectorborne pathogens.

Since the kissing bug itself isn’t common outside of southern & central Texas the disease is still considered quite rare in the United States

So while it’s perfectly fine to be aware that there’s a potential new health risk spreading we don’t need to worry about catching it from our dogs. So go ahead and give your dog a kiss – you won’t catch the kissing bug from him.

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Virginia-based veterinarian Dr. Katy Nelson has three words of advice for dog owners thinking about breeding their dogs: Don’t do it. “Just because your dog is cute and your neighbor’s dog is cute does not mean they should get together to make puppies,” says Nelson. “You need experience and know-how to breed. It’s not something to be taken lightly.”

Nelson suggests spaying and neutering to avoid unplanned pregnancies. If you do find yourself tasked with the care of a pregnant dog, there are important steps you can take to ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Below, Nelson weighs in on how to provide the best prenatal and postnatal care for your pet.

Veterinary Visits
When you first suspect your dog is expecting, it’s important that her veterinarian examine her in order to confirm the diagnosis. “Infections to the uterus can mimic pregnancy, with an enlarged midsection and discharge,” says Nelson. “These infections can be life-threatening, so it’s important to rule this out.”

Once your vet establishes your dog is indeed pregnant, her vaccination schedule should be checked to make sure she is up-to-date. “Maternal antibodies last 12 weeks in puppies,” explains Nelson, adding that the puppies “benefit from having a fully vaccinated mother.”

Dogs gestate their babies for nine weeks. Your dog will see her doctor two or three times during this period. The veterinarian can help you to anticipate what to expect during labor, especially if your breed has notoriously difficult deliveries. “Dogs with large heads and small butts often have labor complications,” says Nelson. “For example, bulldogs almost always need C-sections.”

Nutrition and Exercise
Because her most pressing need during pregnancy is for more calories, a pregnant dog should be fed a nutrient-dense puppy formula beginning immediately after her status as a mother-to-be is confirmed. Make sure, however, that the formula you choose is for small- to medium-sized pups, as large-breed puppy food contains fewer calories in order to slow growth.

Like a pregnant human, a pregnant dog can benefit from regular exercise. Stick with low-impact exercise, such as walking and chasing. If her muscles stay toned, she’ll have a safer labor and delivery.”

Labor Day
In advance, prepare a private, quiet place for the birth to occur. “Like human females, a female dog doesn’t want 10 people in the room when she’s in labor,” says Nelson. She suggests providing your pet with a birthing area — a comfortable bed or box. Nelson also suggests a room with a tiled floor to make cleanup easier.

Your veterinarian should speak with you about the signs that your dog is going into labor. “She may become very aloof, or on the flip side, very clingy,” says Nelson. Follow your dog’s lead: If she doesn’t want company, don’t force it on her. “Her hormones are raging. She’s very protective of these arriving babies. Read her body language and take it seriously.”

Postpartum
As with your pregnant dog, the most important consideration for your new mother is nutrition, specifically a higher caloric intake. She should continue to eat puppy food until her puppies have weaned (about eight weeks after birth). “Especially if the litter is big — more than three puppies — intense nutritional support is in order,” says Nelson. Consult your dog’s veterinarian about how much food she’ll need.

You should also be tuned in to the mother’s overall health. Postpartum dogs can develop eclampsia, which results from a calcium imbalance and can be life-threatening. It usually happens within a week of delivery, and signs include shaking, seizures and lethargy. If your dog exhibits these, get her to the vet immediately.

With the right medical and nutritional support, every dog can have a healthy pregnancy and a happy Mother’s Day — every day.

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We’ve all been there. You go to visit your friend, your neighbor, your co-worker, etc., and then before you even walk in the door you hear it. Barking. Growling. Lots of anxious movement.

Dealing with an anxious and aggressive dog is scary and, for the owners, can be a bit embarrassing. Barring the invention of a time machine that would allow you to go back in time to when your dog was 6-12 weeks old to focus on behavioral training (which is what Oscar E. Chavez, DVM, MBA, Member of the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition, says he likes to first suggest), there are a few specific things you can do to try to help curb your pooch’s bad (and oftentimes dangerous) behavior.

“Aggressive dogs, if truly aggressive, usually require professional behavior modification, and the attention of a trainer or professional,” says Dr. Chavez. “This doesn’t mean you need to work with them at all times, but it does mean that they need to be a part of the behavior modification program.”

The key when dealing with aggressive dogs is to identify which type of aggression your dog is exhibiting, and then develop an appropriate strategy to reverse it. “This process can take days, weeks, months or even years,” says Dr. Chavez. “But if done right, it can be effective over 90 percent of the time. Truly ‘evil’ dogs are rare, and most of the time it’s poor socialization or training during puppyhood that leads to problems.”

When it comes to training, the key is to ignore bad behavior (provided it’s not immediately threatening), and reward good behavior with attention. “Negative attention is still attention, so yelling and shouting your dog’s name when it’s lunging and growling may only fuel the problem,” says Dr. Chavez.

One common technique that helps in the initial stages is what Dr. Chavez called the ‘invisible dog’ technique. “This is where you literally are instructed to ignore the dog completely, except for only feeding and potty walks for two weeks,” he said. “Even during these allowable interactions, you are instructed to avoid eye contact and be very cold to the dog.”

Dogs who are being given the ‘invisible dog’ technique typically go through a mourning phase, where they miss the attention and affection of their pet parent so much that they become open to training and to being very cooperative. After this period, the dog’s behavior is usually better modified. “Invisible dog is tough, because the last thing we want to do is ignore a pet we love,” says Dr. Chavez. “But it must be adhered to very consistently for it to work, and when it fails, it’s usually our fault for giving in.”If your dog’s aggressive behavior worries you, Dr. Chavez suggests checking out The Animal Behavior Network as a great place to start for advice.

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ATLANTA (AP) — An Atlanta-area animal shelter that closed to suppress an infection resulting in at least four dog deaths could reopen as early as Friday.

Cobb County spokesman Ross Cavitt has said tests on dogs at the county shelter showed they had the highly contagious illness streptococcus zooepidemicus. The often fatal bacterial infection affects animals’ respiratory systems.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the shelter closed two weeks ago and stopped accepting new animals. In a county message on Twitter Monday, cleaners could be seen in full body suits scrubbing cages.

Cavitt said on Tuesday that remaining animals were being vaccinated and the facility is preparing to reopen by the end of the week.

The newspaper says animals adopted days before the closure didn’t exhibit symptoms after leaving.

Remaining animals have been held off-site.

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The Mississippi State Department of Health has created a new policy allowing pet dogs to be present at restaurants and other food facilities under specific conditions.

MSDH has examined policies in other states and believes with the proper hygienic conditions public health can be protected, and local businesses wanting to accommodate their clientele can be supported.

OWNERS: This policy takes effect Friday, November 1, 2019. Check local and county ordinances to ensure that dog-friendly restaurants are not otherwise prohibited.

Conditions to Ensure Public Health

• No pet dogs will be allowed inside a food facility (with the exceptions of service animals).
• A separate outside entrance to the designated outdoor dog-friendly area must be established.
• All tableware in the area must be disposable.
• Pet dogs will not be allowed to come in contact with serving dishes, utensils, tableware, linens or any other items involved in food service operations.
• Pet dogs must be kept on a leash at all times, and employees may not touch or handle the animal.
• Employees who do come into contact with a pet dog should immediately wash their hands.
• Any accident involving dog waste must be cleaned up immediately and the area sanitized with appropriate products provided by the restaurant.

Permits and Inspections

All restaurants that wish to establish a dining area where dogs are permitted must first submit an application to the Mississippi State Department of Health. Once MSDH receives the application and relevant fee, an inspection of the facility will take place to ensure that dog-friendly requirements are met.

Restaurants with dog-friendly dining areas will be inspected at least twice a year.

Liability

• The restaurant or food facility can deny service if the pet owner fails to exercise reasonable control over the pet dog, or if it behaves in a manner that compromises the health or safety of any person in the restaurant. Failure to comply with the policy could result in a lower inspection grade for the facility or revocation of its permit variance for dog-friendly areas.
• These restaurants must have proper signage defining areas where dogs are permitted.

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SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico will consider whether to extend its medical cannabis program to help dogs with epilepsy and people with attention deficit disorder.

Five new petitions submitted to the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board seek new qualifying medical conditions for patients in the state’s medical marijuana program. The board meets in December.

The Department of Health withheld the names of petition sponsors on Wednesday in response to a request for public records.

One petition cites recent studies in veterinary medicine to recommend the authorization of cannabis for animals coping with seizures. The petition uses a YouTube video of an epileptic dog named Tecumseh to illustrate the suffering associated with the condition.

Cannabidiol derived from hemp or marijuana already is widely marketed for pets.

New York and California have recently considered allowing veterinarians to recommend medical cannabis for pets, said Carly Wolf, a policy coordinator with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. No state appears to explicitly allow that yet.

The petitioner in New Mexico says that authorizing cannabis for animals would minimize the danger of animal abuse by regulating the use of medical marijuana with pets and provide new treatment tools to veterinarians.

Another petition would allow marijuana for attention deficit hyperactivity syndrome, anxiety disorder and Tourette’s syndrome.

New Mexico’s medical cannabis program, initiated in 2007, has served nearly 80,000 patients who cope with conditions from cancer to HIV.

A large majority are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder or severe chronic pain.

A coalition of state legislators is developing a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana after a bill this year stalled in the state Senate.

A working group appointed by the governor is seeking to ensure affordable access to medical marijuana if recreational marijuana is approved. That could mean tax-free medical cannabis in the future and possibly subsidized sales for impoverished patients.

Several states have seen an exodus of patients from medical marijuana programs and issues of affordability with the authorization of recreational marijuana.

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GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — An anonymous donor has given 40,000 pounds of pet food and snacks to the Rogue Valley Humane Society.

The Daily Courier in Grants Pass reported Thursday that most of the food will go to the organization’s pet food bank, which fed 5,000 cats and dogs from low-income households in the last year.

Some of it will also be delivered to homebound seniors who have pets.

Executive Director Margaret Varner says the truckload of donated food will cover the needs of both programs for at least six months.

The shelter itself is a no-kill facility and has room for 90 cats and 20 adult dogs.

The organization operates on donations and fundraisers and is not affiliated with the Josephine County Animal Shelter.

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PORT ORANGE — Pups and their people are may soon have the option to dine together in outdoor restaurants throughout the city. That is, legally speaking.

On Tuesday, the City Council voted 4-1 in favor of creating a dog-friendly dining program, where local eateries could pay a permitting fee, apply to participate and — as long as they follow state-mandated rules — designate outdoor areas for well-behaved, leashed pups and owners to eat together.

“This is kind of like a tail wagging the dog situation,” said Councilman Scott Stiltner to laughter from the room. “Some of these places, they do it now anyway. They’ve been doing it for years.”

While the practice is not officially allowed in city limits, several eateries already offer dog-friendly dining spaces, according to Senior Planner Penelope Cruz. She said city staff has observed dogs in outside dining areas at Panera Bread, Tomoka Brewery, Starbucks, Neighbors Ice Cream Parlor and the Original First Turn Steakhouse.

“We have allowed animals on our deck for many years,” said Denise Hilliard, co-owner of The Original First Turn Steakhouse & Lounge on U.S. 1, speaking in favor of the practice. “We supply water bowls. We supply treats. We have a doggie menu for our canine friends.”

While most elected officials voted in favor of the ordinance, allowing restaurant owners to decide for themselves whether to let their outdoor spaces go to the dogs, Councilman Chase Tramont, the lone dissenting vote, had lingering concerns about health and safety of diners.

He called the issue “tricky.”

“Frankly, it’s one of those issues that I wish had not come before us, because I’d rather just go on, you know, and not know about it,” said Tramont.

But since it did come up, he felt the city shouldn’t allow the practice.

City Manager Jake Johansson told leaders he has never personally received a complaint about dogs at any city restaurants. But Cruz said if there are ever any concerns from patrons, they can contact the city and staff will keep track of complaints.

“I think the people that own these animals are well aware that they’ve been given a privilege,” said Johansson. “I’m not saying it’s never happened, but I’m saying it’s never come to the city manager’s attention.”

After the vote, leaders suggested an annual permitting fee of $50. The ordinance is expected to go to a final vote Dec. 17.

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Florida lawmakers recently introduced a bill that would make animal abuse a federal offense.

It is a federal crime to record or distribute videos depicting animal abuse, according to legislation passed in 2010, but the actual act of animal cruelty isn’t punishable on a federal level.

If the bill – a bipartisan effort backed by Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch and Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan – is passed, people charged with harming animals will face fines and up to seven years in prison, according to The New York Times. 

Right now, animal cruelty cases are handled by the states, whose felony provisions have a wide range. For example, in some states, cruelty, neglect, fighting, sexual assault and abandonment of animals all result in felony charges. But in other states, felonies only result from the abuse of certain types of animals. 

Beyond felony provisions, states also differ in how they treat repeat offenders, “hot car” regulations and other laws involving the safety of animals. 

The Animal Defense Legal Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the interest of animals through the legal system, released a report in January ranking states by the strength of their animal protection laws. 

For the 11th year in a row, Illinois took the top spot in the ranking. Illinois has increased penalties for repeat animal abusers, requires counseling for certain offenders, and law enforcement officers are allowed to rescue animals trapped in hot cars, according to the report. Additionally, the state can issue protective orders for animals and courts can order people to forfeit their animal pre-conviction. 

Oregon, ranked No. 2, has increased penalties when abuse is committed in the presence of a minor and can restrict someone’s future ownership of animals upon conviction. The state also details comprehensive laws regarding the sexual assault of animals. Maine, Colorado and Massachusetts round out the five best states for animals.

One the other hand, the nonprofit ranked Kentucky last, citing how the state only has felony provisions for cruelty and fighting, both against only select types of animals. Kentucky prohibits veterinarians from reporting suspected cruelty or fighting, and the state has no laws regarding the sexual assault of animals. New Mexico, Wyoming, Iowa and Mississippi join Kentucky at the bottom of the ranking list.

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TACOMA, Wash. – A couple is in shock after their 2-year-old dog Farru was shot and killed in their own backyard Saturday night. 

Police showed up at about 9:45 p.m. after receiving a disturbance call. Aron Garcia-Pena and Paola Aguilar didn’t get home until about 30 minutes later.

“We saw that one of our dogs was just laying down in our driveway,” Garcia-Pena said. “We thought he was just sleeping or something.”

Sadly, that wasn’t the case.

Security camera footage shows a person walking down the alleyway behind Garcia-Pena and Aguilar’s property. Then, someone walking up to the fence, pulling out a weapon and shooting Farru.

The suspect then takes off running toward East Grandview Avenue.

As of right now, all police have of the suspect description is what’s in the security camera footage.

“I’m hoping people check their security cameras and see if they saw a man walk by or run by,” Aguilar said… And that they get arrested, that’s not okay.” 

They say this is the second dog they’ve lost in a year. Farru’s mom was killed by another dog that got into their backyard.

Gacria-Pena and Aguilar tell KOMO News they could have never imagined something like this would happen to their 2-year-old pup.

“Who would do this?” Aguilar said. “I mean, who has the heart to just show up to someone’s house and just shoot a dog?”

Garcia-Pena and Aguilar say they’re going to continue to canvas their neighborhood to see if anyone else might have some footage of the person that shot Farru.

“We just hope this doesn’t happen to anyone else,” Garcia-Pena said.

“We were shocked,” he added. “We didn’t even think that stuff happened here.”

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