T. Cruzi infections (understandably confused with the Senate's T. Cruz malady)

[Ponietz]

[link:https://www.krqe.com/news/national/is-your-dog-at-risk-for-t-cruzi-infection-which-can-lead-to-heart-problems-and-sudden-death]

Right now in some areas the southern U.S, a significant percentage of dogs are infected with a potentially life-threatening disease — and many of their owners are likely not even aware.

Canine Chagas disease, which is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (or T. cruzi), is estimated to be present in 2% to 6% of dogs in the southern U.S. But in more rural areas, or among working dogs housed in communal kennels or dogs who spend most of their day outside, the rate of infection is closer to 20%, and could be as high as 30% in some parts of the South, according to an expert who spoke with Nexstar.

“Currently, there might be three-quarters of a million, or a million dogs across the U.S., infected,” estimated Rick Tarleton, a regents professor and distinguished research professor at the University of Georgia’s Department of Cellular Biology.

[Duppers]

1. Yikes! TY for posting this.

My big Lab spends most of her time inside or in our yard but her dad has been taking her on long walks on the trails in the wooded park close by.

I was alarmed 4yrs ago when I found one of these disease-carrying nasty bugs in my house:

[Laurelin]

2. Wow, that's a scary increase!

My daughter was a research assistant on Chagas when she was in vet school. Infection rate wasn't nearly so high then. It's ac terrifying illness, so happy you got this information out!

[catrose]

3. They bite people too.

You can tell because of the swelling and spreading. Mine looked like mosquito bites at first, then spread all the way around my arm from elbow to wrist. Stayed like that for a week and really hurt.

My doctor had bloodwork done because Chagas can be treated in the initial stage, but it causes heart problems years down the line that aren't easily treated. 75% of the bugs carry Chagas. I felt lucky mine didn't.