Chalk one more thing up to El Nino: All the water it has brought our way is contributing to what will be a bumper crop of mosquitoes in many parts of the country. And while those pests mean lots of scratching for us humans, for our dogs the risk can be far more serious. In a word, heartworm.

That's because without mosquitoes, there wouldn't be a problem with this deadly parasite. Mosquitoes pick up the microscopic heartworm larvae in the blood of infested animals and help the parasites find a new home while drawing the blood of another victim. In a worm-friendly environment -- such as a dog -- the tiny pests head for the pulmonary arteries and develop into 9- to 14-inch worms that will if left untreated eventually choke the life out of their host.

Still, it isn't easy to convince some people that their dogs need to be protected against heartworm. To some, putting out money to prevent something they can't see makes them wonder if the whole thing wasn't cooked up by veterinarians and drug companies.

But the facts prove otherwise. Heartworm disease has been found in every state, and it's nothing to mess with.

Heartworm symptoms are virtually the same as with any other form of heart disease. Most infested dogs are brought to the veterinarian after their owners noticed them coughing at night, coughing after exercise or experiencing a more general loss in condition -- weight loss, dull coat, lethargy. By the time the symptoms are noticed, however, a great deal of damage has usually been done, not only to the heart, but also to other organs such as the kidneys, which rely on a steady flow of blood to operate.

Preventive care remains the best way of protecting your pet from the pest. That care starts with a heartworm test, a simple procedure that involves drawing blood and checking for the presence of the larvae. The test is essential, since the preventive medication given to a heartworm-free dog can be dangerous for a dog with a heartworm infestation.

If the test is negative, there are two kinds of medication available to keep the dog free of heartworms. The daily pill protects by keeping a low dose of poison circulating in the blood to kill the microfilaria before they get a chance to settle. The monthly pill works by killing the worms that have established themselves in the preceding month. This season, one company is even combining the monthly pill with monthly flea-control medication.

Which should you use? It's up to you, and it depends on what you're more likely to administer reliably. The daily pills work perfectly, but only if you have a perfect record of giving them to your dog. A lapse of a day or so is more than enough time for the pest to get established.

If you're inclined to skip days, then the monthly medication may be your best bet. And if you start on the daily pills but stop for whatever reason, a switch in a month's time to the other treatment will ensure that your pet will be protected.

A positive heartworm test will likely require treatment to save your pet's life. New medications make treatment safer these days, but your veterinarian will likely still suggest tests beforehand to spot any complicating factors, including blood and urine screens and chest X-rays. If that sounds expensive, than it's just another reason why prevention is the only way to go with this pest, especially in a year such as this one.

Preventive care, starting with good nutrition and exercise, is easy to overlook or put off. But nothing will make as powerful a day-to-day difference in the life of your pet as good health. And heartworm prevention is part of ensuring it.

Pets on the Web: While shows are probably a better "best" place to study animal breeds, the Internet offers a lot of possibilities. This week found me musing about the Abyssinian, a handsome cat who looks more than a little like a panther. A good page to find more about this breed is Patti Cassalia's Abyssinian FAQ (www.tdl.com/(tilde)pattic/abyfaq). Also, the bottom of this page has a link to the Cat Fanciers Web site (www.fanciers.com). Good reading, great pictures.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies" and "Cats for Dummies," and is the editorial director of the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or e-mail to Giori(at)aol.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600

Biting, destructiveness, noisiness, house-soiling -- these problems can be more of a threat to a pet than a disease such as cancer. That's because too often behavior problems are eventually "solved" by getting rid of the pet, a solution that's often a dead end for the animal.

Even when people refuse to give up on their pets, behavior problems can mean a lifetime of misery. "Bad" pets may spend their lives locked up, locked out, or punished in ways that reflect the frustration and ignorance of their owners but do nothing to solve the problems. It's safe to say that neither side realizes the full benefits of the human-animal bond in such sad situations.

It doesn't have to be that way. While some behavior problems aren't fixable, most can be. To accomplish such change, though, you have to be prepared to put some time into changing the situation. Quick-fix, half-hearted efforts are doomed from the start.

The first rule of solving any behavioral problem is to make sure it's not a medical problem. The cat who won't use the litter box may be struggling with an infection that makes urination painful. A dog who snaps when his ears are touched may be suffering from chronic infections. Situations such as these need to be accurately diagnosed and completely treated with the help of your veterinarian before any retraining begins.

When your pet is healthy, your veterinarian can still be of use. While few veterinarians have the training or knowledge to help solve behavior problems, the numbers of those who do are growing -- and your vet may be one of them. Even those veterinarians who have no interest in behavior work can refer you to someone who can help. Loosely grouped under the term "behaviorist," these pet professionals can help fix what ails the relationship you have with your pet.

Consulting a behaviorist can save you time, money and aggravation. Time, because someone with experience in animal behavior can quickly determine the root of the problem, without the emotional baggage that a pet owner may bring to the situation. Money, because a consultation or two is a great deal cheaper than a new sofa. And aggravation? You understand that one if you're living with a problem pet.

Be aware, however, that animal behavior is an unregulated field -- anyone can call himself a behaviorist.

One of the best choices is a veterinarian who's board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. These professionals have gone through years of study in animal health and behavior and have done a residency in the field as well. A plus with this group: They have access to medications being used now to help correct behavior problems.

People with other academic degrees (such as psychology) and people who've picked up their knowledge in the field also make themselves available for advising on behavior. Some can be excellent, so don't let the lack of a DVM or any degrees at all deter you from getting help from someone who has studied in the "school of hard knocks" (or would that be the "school of bites and scratches"?)

Behaviorists are not "trainers" in the sense of offering group obedience classes to sharpen a pet's manners. Instead, they work one-on-one with you to solve a specific behavior problem. The form the consulting takes varies. Some behaviorists consult by phone; others take appointments with or without your pet, while still others make house calls. All these can work, depending on the problem and the pet.

If you're in a situation where your pet is causing problems in your home -- and certainly if you're thinking of getting rid of your pet -- don't delay: Ask your veterinarian for help, or call your closest college of veterinary medicine.

Pets on the Web: William Campbell is a pioneering behaviorist, and his Pet Behavior Resources Web site (www.Webtrail.com/petbehavior/index.html) is worthy of attention. The site includes a behavior case of the month and a quiz that lets you test your knowledge of animal behavior. Bird lovers should check out behaviorist Sally Blanchard's Pet Bird Report site (www.petbirdreport.com). The site serves to promote her excellent magazine of the same name, but there's plenty here to help the nonsubscriber.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies" and "Cats for Dummies," and is the editorial director of the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or e-mail to Giori(at)aol.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600

The youngest of my two retrievers is Heather, a dog so keen for swimming that she vibrates and whines at the sight of water when we drive over bridges. The older one, Benjamin, is only a tad less enthusiastic. Both will race pell-mell down a soggy bank and hurl themselves powerfully skyward, hitting the water with feet churning and hearts full of joy.

They are water dogs, happiest when wet -- unless there's soap in the water. When "water" means "bath," they're suddenly not interested. In this, they're not alone.

While bathing dogs is no one's idea of fun, it doesn't have to be miserable for you both if you know what you're doing and keep your attitude positive.

First, set yourself up with the proper equipment: soap, a bath mat for sure footing and a spray nozzle for thorough rinsing. Shampoo is a matter of personal preference, and with so many great products on the market, choosing just one is a chore. Don't use a human shampoo -- the pH is wrong for your pet -- and don't bother with a flea-control product. Any shampoo will wash fleas down the drain. (If you're fighting fleas, talk to your veterinarian about the latest generation of highly effective products.)

When you've got all your equipment in place -- don't forget towels! -- turn on the tap, but do it with the door closed. Dogs have a keen sense of hearing, too, and some are upset by the sound of bath water running; they know what it means. After the tub is full of warm water, let the water sit while you prepare the dog for the big plunge. It's important to comb or cut out tangles or mats before the bath, since water only makes them worse. Put a pinch of cotton just inside your dog's ears and a drop of mineral oil in each eye to help keep out the soap.

In working with dogs, I've found a good attitude can go a long way, but a bad one can make things worse. If your dog knows how much you hate bath time, how will he get a positive or at least tolerable opinion of the process? Keep it light and don't let up on the praise, even as you're gritting your teeth and dragging your pet into the tub.

Wet your dog thoroughly, then start shampooing by working a complete ring of lather around the neck, cutting off the escape route of any fleas. Work back from there, and don't forget to work some lather in between your dog's toes. Do the face and ears gently, taking care not to get any suds into your dog's eyes. Rinse, and follow with a conditioner if your dog has a long or silky coat: It'll make combing out easier and give the fur a nice sheen.

Rinse again, then lift the dog out and put a towel over yourself while he shakes. Your dog can get off more water by shaking than you can by toweling, so let him have at it, and use those towels to clean up the mess.

Keep your dog inside while he dries; you can use a blow-dryer to speed up the process, if you like. A clean dog is a joy to be with -- enjoy it while you can.

Regular brushing and combing will stretch the period between baths, but don't let it go too long. The old myth that dogs shouldn't be bathed more than twice a year must have come from folks with outside dogs -- who'd want such a dirty beastie on the bed? Bathe your pet as needed, and you'll both be happier for it.

Pets on the Web: OK, so horses aren't pets in the classical "sleeps on the bed" kind of way, but like many city-dwellers I've always loved and admired them. With the heightened interest in racing's Triple Crown this year, now seems a good time to visit the Thoroughbred Times Web site on this race series (http://206.112.8.160/thoroughbredtimes/tc98/default.asp). The best part of the well-designed site is the history area, with stories and pictures of each Triple Crown winner from Sir Barton to Affirmed. Great stuff.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies" and "Cats for Dummies," and is the editorial director of the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or e-mail to Giori(at)aol.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600