Don’t let the cutesy monicker fool you – kissing bugs get their name from their nasty habit of biting around the eyes and lips. They also transmit Chagas disease which affects the heart and other organ systems, and can potentially be deadly to dogs.
At least eight of the 11 species of kissing bugs carry Chagas disease, and while the bugs are more common in the southern states, they have been spotted as far north as Pennsylvania during the summer.
There is no preventive vaccine or treatment for Chagas disease, but the symptoms (including heart disease) can be managed to help your dog live longer with the condition.
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