GliderCENTRAL

West Nile

Posted By: Anonymous

West Nile - 09/01/06 04:17 PM

Here recently we have had a lot of rain and it has really brought out the mosquitoes.They are in swarms. There is no way you can go inside or out with out at least 2 or 3 of them coming in. They are even heavy in the stores. I know West Nile virus shows up more at the end of Summer & early Fall. And I know it shows up in some animals. Does it affect Gliders? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanx.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/01/06 04:38 PM

Good question I never thought of that.

Anyone want to shed some light on this for us, as I would like to know myself. I know that a gliders normal temperature is not the same as ours, as that is why they don't require shots like a dog, cat , ferret or some other species of animals.

Do you have mosquito conrol in your area? We vote this in every year and seldom have a problem which might be worth looking into. Plus I know if I have company coming over that with a phone call my tax payers money will get them to spray my house around the outside for free. I just keep the kids and all of us indoors for about 2 hours after I hear them drive by.

My guess as I have never heard of this would be that with their temperature being different I would say no...but I don't think that this issue has been discussed so that is just a guess. I hope that someone comes in here soon to address this issue as this is a very good question.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/01/06 05:04 PM

Thank You, unfortunately I live in the country and they don't spray here. As for in town they did spray right before the rains and now they say they are limited on funds. So I guess when someone here gets sick they may spray again. My sister contracted it 3 yrs ago and was in the Hospital for 3 weeks.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/01/06 06:20 PM

Hmm. That is a good question. I know that West Nile is really devastating for birds (the zoo here where I'm at actually lost all of their birds they were housing outside). But I haven't heard to too many mammals coming down with it. I'd be curious to find out as well.

You might be able to find more at the CDC website?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/01/06 06:49 PM

See we are all surfing the web right now for this one. This means that we have a really good question.

I am wondering if it wouldn't be the gliders per say catching it as they are limited most of the time to indoor play, but also wonder if another animal like dogs or cats could cross contaminate this disease as I have heard of cases where horses and dogs are getting tested and there was a positive for dogs getting it last year that ran in our paper.

I am stumped on this one. I just can't find it. Which means that it doesn't happen or hasn't been reported to happen yet...which I would like to take the first choice.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/01/06 09:33 PM

I was just curious because there is no way to keep all mosquitoes out of the house and I see posts where people see there gliders catch flies, crickets etc. And I know mosquitoes carry the virus. Wasnt sure if anyone knew anything about it. But it looks as if they don't.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: mattysmom

Re: West Nile - 09/01/06 10:40 PM

I have no clue about this - it's a good question. We vaccinate our horses so they don't catch it or spread it since they're outside (even in a barn) and exposed to mosquitoes no matter what we do. My gliders are inside and it's rare that a mosquito gets in.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/02/06 10:09 PM

7glider7, mammals can get West Nile. It seems like in things I've read livestock is most vulnerable to it (as far as mammals go), but dogs, cats, and even humans can get it.

I've never heard of a small animal getting West Nile before, but they usually keep to more devestating cases (humans, livestock, and the family dog)in the news (around here at least). I have to think it would be totally possible for small animals to get it. But, I'm just not sure. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I'll google it now.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/02/06 10:20 PM

I found this website ( FAQs on West Nile Virus for Small Animal Veterinarians) that says, "There is no documented evidence that animal-to-animal or animal-to-person transmission can occur." But, despite it saying it's for small animal vets, I didn't see any reference to small animals, except dogs and cats.

There's this website ( West Nile Virus and Squirrels) that says, "A small number of squirrels have tested positive for the West Nile virus."

Alright, got a good one now, West Nile Virus Facts, says, "Many mammals can be infected with West Nile Virus, including horses, cats, bats, dogs, squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, and domestic rabbits."

I know those say absolutely nothing about sugar gliders, but here's my thinking: if another household pet is capable of getting WNV, I would assume that my gliders would be able to get it too. It's always better to be safe than sorry. Maybe just take some extra precautions to keep mosquitoes out of the room where your gliders are.

HTH...maybe somebody else who knows more than me will come by and give us a straight answer.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/02/06 10:47 PM

Well i would like to know too....

I do know that horses can DEFINATLY get it and birds...
But i'm not really sure about any other animals....
i hope some one comes along that does know..
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile *DELETED* - 09/03/06 02:37 AM

Post deleted by serina48723
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/03/06 02:39 AM

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
Many mammals can be infected with West Nile Virus, including horses, cats, bats, dogs, squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, and domestic rabbits."

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Alright now your scaring me here. So what if it is possible should we look for as far as symptoms if gliders could get this, as compared to other animals <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shakehead.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/03/06 02:54 AM

Well, Serina, if it makes you feel any better, one of the places I read said that the risk of a domesticated animal getting WNV was very low. I think one of the links I gave said that.
Posted By: Lucy

Re: West Nile - 09/03/06 04:26 AM

I think it's unlikely that you have anything to worry about with West Nile. Especially assuming that you don't have gliders living outside or being in the open around standing water. Gliders living in your house where, presumably, there are no mosquitos, should be in no danger.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/03/06 04:33 AM

I heard a vet at a seminar last Sunday discussing West Nile Virus. He said for every person and your animals - just minimize exposure to mosquitos. Use window screens and don't spend time outdoors around dawn or dusk when mosquitos are most active. If you have to be out, wear mosquito repellant. There is a different degree of risk depending upon where you are in North America: There are 30 different mosquito vector species on the East Coast. In CA, just one. The most common clinical sign of West Nile is none. 80% of those infected have no symptoms.About 20% have fever, non-itching rash, feeling "off". Less than 1% have severe symptoms. Avoiding mosquito bites and a strong immune system are your best defense. Same for susceptible animals. Just avoid exposure and don't worry about it.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/03/06 04:56 AM

Ah, BethySue, that info helps. I knew that mammals COULD get it (since humans can get it), but I hadn't heard of small mammals getting it before.

West Nile really was super-hyped by the media though. I mean, myself and most people I know let our dogs, cats, etc. outside where mosquitos could possibly bite them...our vet of course has talked to us about heartworm and we vaccinate against that, but never have they encouraged us to vaccinate against west nile (is west nile vaccine even available for small animals? I'm not sure).

Anyways, might be something interesting to ask your vet, but unless your animal is spending lots of time outdoors in a mosquito-infested area, I wouldn't be extremely concerned.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/03/06 05:16 AM

We have had sevral cases reported of west nile in our zip code recently. The city sprays here and this year so far I have seen fewer mosquitos then last year. I will talk to my vet on our next appt. date and ask him what he thinks.
Angie
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/03/06 08:46 AM

That was a VERY good question and one that I had not thought about. We DO have the vet do West Nile Shots on our horses, but have NEVER thought or been told by any vet that we should do the same for any of our dogs, cats, or other pets we've had over time. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/03/06 02:55 PM

I am glad someone brought this issue up. TY soo much. I feel lucky to have mosquito control, but now fear my little ones from a bug like a mosquito.

I am such a worried mama. I worry about everything. Though the risk is small if they were to contract it what should we look for? I have never had this but I have heard about it, and birds in our area have been found to. I am so scared, but I am glad that this was addressed.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/03/06 03:42 PM

Thank you again... I'm not sure what the signs would be for animals. But when my sister had it she had a really bad headache,stiff neck, sore body, nausea, vomiting and couldn't stay hydrated.She said it felt like a really bad case of the flu and a car wreck combined. Even though I take every precaution to keep them out of my house they still find there way in. They like to land on you and come in or fly in when the door is open. Like I said before the area Im in is bad. The state of Ks has reported 4 confirmed West Nile deaths already. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: West Nile - 09/03/06 04:09 PM

Keep these facts in mind:

1) Glider's don't get rabies because their body temp is too low. The virus cannot survive without a high enough temp. to incubate it, is why. A glider's body temp is around 88-89 degrees. A cat's is over 100. People's is (normally, 98.7-but I'm odd and run around 94.8 to 95 as a normal temp-it goes over that and I'm sick).

We would need to know what the temp range is to incubate the West Nile Virus.

2. West Nile Virus was named because of the area in which it originated...the West Nile area of Egypt (Africa). I don't think there are many gliders in Africa (tho I could be wrong). So unless or until one gets it, we may not know. Viruses can incubate at varying temperature ranges, survive dormant on a surface for varying amounts of time, and certain ones can be transmitted from animals to people, or vice versa-like bird flu or rabies, for example.

3)West Nile virus was originally an avian (bird) disease, and made it's way here in imported alligators or crocodiles. It mutated and crossed over to people.

4)Like rabies, tho, I think the glider would have to be bitten-and being bitten by a mosquito is not as likely as, say, a flea or tick that could transmit rabies when they burrow under the fur. As far as I am aware, West Nile isn't airborne (yet). I would think it MUCH harder for a mosquito to bite thru a glider's coat.

I understand your concern...we get mosquitos in our house, too, despite our best efforts, tho we do our best to identify any and kill them asap. I would say, the possibility IS there. So be aware, kill any mosquitos you find, cover the cages to try and keep them from getting in, if you're really worried. But inside the chances are much, much lower than if a glider were outdoors, even with no precautions.

One other thought: birds dont have a particularly high body temp, either. Yet this virus will attack multiple species in a wide range. I have thought of this, and we go over the whole house every night to try and make sure there are no mosquitos. HTH
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/03/06 05:34 PM

Ugh, I've got to start watching, now I'm really worried. We don't have them so bad in the house, but my daughter ends up getting ate up if she stays out too late, so now I'm worrying about her <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/07/06 01:11 AM

Ty all for coming together to help us out with this question.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: West Nile - 09/07/06 01:34 AM

Yes Thank You Very Much <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanx.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanx.gif" alt="" />
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