Kissing bugs, also known as Assassin Bugs, have migrated up from South America where they cause at least 14,000
human deaths a year from Chagas Disease. I know of 4 states in the United States that now have the kissing bug:
California, Texas, Arizona, and Florida. When I first heard of the bug, the only state that I knew it was in was Texas. A
year and a half later I'm reading that it's spreading quickly yet news of it isn't as forthcoming. TNT wrote about the
Kissing Bug about a year ago when they heard show dogs had died from their bite, but other news about this bug is very
slow at getting out to the public.
Kissing Bugs got their name because they normally bite people or pets during the night while they sleep. They are
attracted to the odors that we exhale and our face is usually the exposed area during sleep. They typically don't burrow
under places such as covers.
Kissing Bugs are a blood sucker as are mosquitoes, and ticks. Usually they feed just after sunset and are attracted to
the light in our homes, skin odors, the odors we exhale, and to the warmth of our bodies. Kissing Bugs that enter your
yard or house will feed on pets or humans.
Reactions to the bite of the Kissing bug range from redness and irritation to anaphylactic shock in humans, in dogs, it's
death. The main danger to humans from the Kissing Bug is that it can carry Chagas Disease. Unfortunately most
information about this bug is about human danger, but over 18 million people have become infected in Central and
South America.
The Spring issue of the Havanese Hotline has more information about Chagas Disease, written by my vet, Dale Rasco
DVM. Please read this issue. If you don't get the Hotline and want to read more about this, you can email Arlene at
aetzig@comcast.net. It has the most up to date information I've found anywhere from a vet who has dealt with it.
human deaths a year from Chagas Disease. I know of 4 states in the United States that now have the kissing bug:
California, Texas, Arizona, and Florida. When I first heard of the bug, the only state that I knew it was in was Texas. A
year and a half later I'm reading that it's spreading quickly yet news of it isn't as forthcoming. TNT wrote about the
Kissing Bug about a year ago when they heard show dogs had died from their bite, but other news about this bug is very
slow at getting out to the public.
Kissing Bugs got their name because they normally bite people or pets during the night while they sleep. They are
attracted to the odors that we exhale and our face is usually the exposed area during sleep. They typically don't burrow
under places such as covers.
Kissing Bugs are a blood sucker as are mosquitoes, and ticks. Usually they feed just after sunset and are attracted to
the light in our homes, skin odors, the odors we exhale, and to the warmth of our bodies. Kissing Bugs that enter your
yard or house will feed on pets or humans.
Reactions to the bite of the Kissing bug range from redness and irritation to anaphylactic shock in humans, in dogs, it's
death. The main danger to humans from the Kissing Bug is that it can carry Chagas Disease. Unfortunately most
information about this bug is about human danger, but over 18 million people have become infected in Central and
South America.
The Spring issue of the Havanese Hotline has more information about Chagas Disease, written by my vet, Dale Rasco
DVM. Please read this issue. If you don't get the Hotline and want to read more about this, you can email Arlene at
aetzig@comcast.net. It has the most up to date information I've found anywhere from a vet who has dealt with it.
| KISSING BUGS Don't let the name fool you. This bug can be deadly to your dog and you. |
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