West Nile disease.

[popcornbird]

I have heard the West Nile has arrived in CA, sadly. I think we've had one West Nile related death so far. There aren't many mosquitos in our area, but I saw one in the house several days ago, which I killed immediately (after he stung me...hehehe). My birds aren't going outside *at all*. I haven't seen a single dead bird in the area.......I'm not even sure if we have it in our city or not, but I know its in the state, and we're all trying to be careful.

[Desert Arabian]

There is a joke amung Wisconsinites that our state bird is the mosquito, because there are so many here, it is nuts. Even our backyard is loaded with them, you look out the window and you can see little clouds of mosquitos above the grass.

There are no vaccines for dogs and cats that I am aware of, but I read in a different article that they are trying to make vaccines for dogs and cats.

"There may be other dogs that have been exposed," Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Illinois Director John Andrews told a USA Today reporter.

There is a West Nile vaccine, but it has been approved for use only in horses. Vaccines for dogs and cats are currently being developed.

I am sure rats and cats can get it too, that is why I am cautious with my ratties and kitties. Birds, horses, squirrels, and dogs have been shown to have it- so I am sure it can affect cats and rats. I just like to play it safe.

In fact, I just found proof that cats can get West Nile Virus:

Q. How do cats and dogs become infected with West Nile virus?
A. Dogs and cats become infected when bitten by an infected mosquito. There is also evidence that cats can become infected with the virus after eating experimentally infected mice.