Comments for All About Chagas Disease

Comment on Chagas Disease – the Killer Disease – Should you Learn More? by J. Pat Geis

J. Pat Geis — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:03:03 +0000

Is Chagas transmittable between humans; for example, by kissing, etc?

Comment on About Chagas Disease by About Chagas Disease

About Chagas Disease — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:10:20 +0000

Hi J, I am so terribly sorry that your dog has Chagas disease and know how devastating the news is to find out that a beloved member of the family has it. I was also very angry that I was never told about it or the possibibilities of my dog contracting it even though we are in Texas and there have been numerous cases here. I haven’t kept up with the research on pimobendan (sp?) but we were able to get that medication under a compassionate use clause (or my vet was) and back then when we went through this, it had helped some dogs with the disease. Just know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your ‘old yeller’ guy, and again, my heart just aches for you.

Comment on About Chagas Disease by j

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 16:26:13 +0000

I greatly appreciate you raising awareness of this disease!! I just found out today the results of my 3yr. dog’s heart condition–due to Chagas disease. I never knew anything about this disease until the day my dog’s heart stopped beating. Although he was revived his prognosis sucks and his life is shortened all because our vet (and the general public) are not aware or least don’t speak of it to prevent or treat before it kills.
I am angry that our vet never gave us the option to have him tested for this considering we annually get him tested for every other known disease. Had he been tested early on, he could have been treated and possible cured and living a healthy, happy life!!
He is like ‘old yeller’ and it pains me to know the unknowing, especially when it threatens the very existence of life. I wish we had known in advance….

Comment on Photos of Kissing Bugs – Carrier of the Chagas’ Disease Parasite by s houghton

s houghton — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:25:13 +0000

i had one on my hand whilst useing a computer in crosby library i felt it bite i looked it up in a insect book and it was the same . i had never seen one before or known about them until then

Comment on Photos of Kissing Bugs – Carrier of the Chagas’ Disease Parasite by nife

nife — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:18:37 +0000

what is the difference between T.crise in africa which is transmitted by Tse TSe fly. T. Crise is very common livestock diseae in africa . have they got relation?.

Comment on Symptoms of Chagas’ Disease by julie

julie — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:55:16 +0000

Thank you for your info…i live in south tx and one of my dogs has been diagnosed with chagas. She is only one and a half yr. old. She has never had a sick day in her life until two week ago when she started retaining fluid. That is when we found out she had heart problems…she is still very active and happy and runs around. I am going to have my other dogs checked. I have even been bitten by an assassin bug myself. We have so many here that I don’t know where to begin to protect us. Thanks again for the info.
julie

Comment on Treatment for Chagas’ Disease by Danny Davis

Danny Davis — Mon, 26 May 2008 15:18:30 +0000

I had my dog tested for Chagas and found out he is positive with Chagas.
Is there any treatment for dogs ? He is 3 years old and looks normal and shows no signs of being sick. Our female just died of Chagas and she was 20 months old and had an enlarged heart.

Comment on Chagas Disease – the Killer Disease – Should you Learn More? by Lynn

Lynn — Sat, 24 May 2008 20:25:47 +0000

Can a chagas infected dog give you chagas from saliva or blood?

Comment on How can I reduce my family’s risk for becoming infected with Chagas’ disease by J. Rueda

J. Rueda — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:05:49 +0000

There is one very simple very important action which can help protect people against infection by Chagas (though it is complementary to and not a replacement for the indications above) – if you are in an endemic area and you notice you have been bitten by an insect DO NOT SCRATCH the bite. Instead wash it out with clean water and lots of soap. Not only does this normally help to alliviate the itch somewhat, it could save your life. (The bite of the Triatome is not normally infectious – it is the scratching which follows that normally results in an infection)

Comment on How is Chagas’ Disease Spread? by Wes King

Wes King — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 13:58:20 +0000

What about MOSQUITOES..I read this is possible. Mosquitoes transmit more than 100 diseases. And…bacteria, virus, parasites evolve so fast that doctors may think it’s not possible to transmit via mosquitoes….?ticks?fleas? but the life cycle changes rapidly. It was once thought that cats couldn’t end up w/heartworms now they can and so can people. While they aren’t a host in the way dogs are…heartworms go to the lungs.