SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man’s canine remains to be affected by the negative effects of Chagas illness 4 years after getting bitten by an insect often called the kissing bug.
The insect — whose precise title is the triatomine bug — carries a parasitic illness referred to as Trypanosoma cruzi, or Chagas illness, which impacts each people and dogs. It’s present in a number of states, together with Texas, and a single chunk from an contaminated bug might result in stroke or coronary heart failure.
Friesenhahn, the canine’s proprietor who wished to be recognized by his final title solely, instructed KSAT by way of e mail that his canine Hunter was bitten by a kissing bug in 2019.
He stated Hunter got here very near dying, suffered a number of coronary heart assaults and in addition had a number of seizures.
Veterinarians on the San Antonio animal hospital the place Hunter was taken had been in a position to decide the canine had Chagas illness after blood check outcomes.
Friesenhahn stated Hunter is okay now however has to take three totally different drugs, twice a day that cost round $60 a month.
“It was said that he may need to be put down but I just couldn’t do it. I told them to do everything they can for him,” Friesenhan stated.
“It is quite serious. It causes heart failure and severe heart complications and they will live a shortened life with a weak heart and will require expensive medications,” Friesenhahn stated of contaminated animals.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension web site says Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona are the states with essentially the most species and findings of kissing bugs.
Gabe Hamer, with Texas A&M AgriLife Science, previously told KSAT that kissing bugs are about an inch lengthy when absolutely grown and may dwell for a few 12 months.
Hamer says individuals dwelling in San Antonio can see them round their houses as a result of the bugs fly in from the Hill Country and are drawn to lights.
“Our laboratory at Texas A&M University has found that about 50% of kissing bugs are infected with the Chagas parasite,” AgriLife Extension officers stated.
Experts say bites from a kissing bug aren’t painful and many individuals don’t notice they’ve been bitten.
“There is no ‘typical’ reaction to a kissing bug bite. Like mosquito bites, some people have almost no reaction and other people have severe reactions. It is not usually possible to tell what bit you if you are only looking at the bite. Reactions to kissing bug bites vary from unnoticeable to anaphylactic shock,” officers stated.
Anyone who thinks they may have been bitten by the kissing bug is suggested to contact a health care provider or healthcare supplier.
Pets who could also be contaminated with Chagas illness must be taken to a veterinary clinic.
For extra details about tips on how to diagnose and deal with Chagas illness, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention here.
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