Heartworms in Alaskan Dogs?????

[ArcticState]

Originally Posted by roadfamily6now

thanks for this information, even if this thread is old.

As far as skunks go, I have never seen one in Alaska. Not sure if they live up here in the wild.
But we did have a few fleas here in Anchorage. My DD found some in her room (which was weird as they were not on our cats or dog) but we through cleaning of the linens and clothes took care of it. We are assuming they came from a friends house after a trip to the lower 48.

Interestingly, Alaska is actually the only state in the US with no endemic population of skunks. They are illegal to breed, release, or import into this state, and fish & game can shoot them on the spot if they are found.

[tigre79]

No skunks, but I'd rather my dog run into one of them than a porcupine.

[4theluvofgold]

No kidding, dog stinking vs dog in agony....

[Lynnie42]

Originally Posted by itdincor

I can speak only for Popof Island in the Shumagins.

We have no fleas. Period. And it does not become nearly so cold here as Fairbanks or other places Inside. No explanation from me, as I don't know why.

I have never heard of heartworms on this island, nor have any of the vets who come here ever mentioned this to me.

Naturally, you should continue your investigation. One island does not a state make. Also, the climate here can be very different from one area to another of this gigantic state, so maybe there are heartworms in, say, South Eastern. Can't say.

Keep looking. You'll find out for sure.

BTW: I've always admired Malemutes. But, myself have always had mutts whom I have rescued, in one sense or another. Malemutes are some of the most attractive dogs I've ever seen.

Good on ya.

I have lived in Alaska for 61 years. My Mother had a dog that did have heartworms and the dog had never been out of the stated. Heartworms come from infected mosquitos and if the dog gets bit by one it would take from 6 months to 7 years to show up. They can have as many s 250 heartworms in their bodies. We do have preventive medicine in Alaska and everyone's dog should be treated, unless you don't love it enough to care.

[Lynnie42]

Originally Posted by Glitch

An erroneous assumption. The Alaskan Snow Mosquito (Culiseta Alaskaensis) is incapable of transmitting any parasites or disease because their body water is replaced by glycerol, a type of carbohydrate, which acts as an antifreeze and keeps the body cells from rupturing when temperatures reach the freezing point. This glycerol also prevents them from carrying parasites, like heart-worms, or diseases like the West Nile Virus or malaria.

There is only one genus of mosquito in Alaska capable of transmitting diseases or parasites, Anopheles Earlei. It is so rare in Alaska that adults have only been found in Anchorage.

Alaska is the only state in the Union were vaccinations to prevent heart-worms is not a requirement.

It is not a requirement but anyone who loves their animals would get it. Like I said earlier, my mother's dog had heartworms and it never left the state of Alaska. It was born here and stayed here it's who life.
Lynnie