Bird Watching May Save Your Life

Last year I installed a bird feeder in my back yard, as a live entertainment center for my indoor cats. I found that I was more enthralled with gazing at the various species of birds that flitted in and out of my yard, than my cats were.

If you are an avid birder, you can help to monitor the spread of a deadly viral disease that affects birds, horses, and humans. West Nile Virus was first detected in the state of New York in 1999. Since that time, it has spread rapidly and is now found in 20 of our eastern United States.

The mosquito is responsible for transmitting the disease, with wild birds acting as the reservoir. The virus causes inflammation of the brain, lungs, kidneys, and heart muscle. The signs are not very specific and can mimic many other maladies.

West Nile Virus has spread rapidly and is now found in 20 of our Eastern United States.

Birders can be of great assistance by reporting sightings of larger than expected numbers of deceased birds. Those birds, which are especially sensitive to the virus, are crows, ravens, jays and magpies. For your safety, it is not recommended that you handle the birds, but rather bring it to the attention of your local veterinarian or animal control agency.

Slowing the spread of this potentially deadly disease has not been easy. The path the virus has taken corresponds with the migratory pattern of birds. Though vaccines are available, one of the best ways to thwart this illness is by vigilance and mosquito abatement. If there is standing water around your property, even a small body such as water that has accumulated in a bucket or some old tires in the backyard, discard these objects or at least dry them out.

Mosquitoes can transmit many other disease that affect man and animals. Heartworm disease can be a silent killer. Medications are available to prevent this condition. The preventatives come in various forms, from topicals that are applied to the skin every 30 days, to chewable tablets that are taken monthly, and the newest form is an injection that is administered by your veterinarian every 6 months.

To keep your pet healthy, no matter if it has fur, feathers or fins, see your veterinarian at least yearly, and follow his or her recommendation for good preventative care. Why? Because it is "Your Pet...Health Matters."