Throughout the Mecklenburg and Huntersville country_the tick-borne disease has created a significant ultimation to the dog’s health. These conditions have symptoms which are very painful and even prove to be fatal for our four-legged partners. If you are the one, who does not know much about tick-borne disease and its different types, how they transmit and many more. Lemme tell you as I have gathered the information so you can get the benefit as well. Just read till last to be acknowledged for the next time.
Tick-borne diseases in dogs
Tick-borne diseases are actually the group of infections and a major health concern for our dogs, specifically in the areas which have high tick populations. These diseases are spread by the ticks that pick up the disease causing agents like protozoa or bacteria while feeding on the wild animals such as mice or birds.
How it is happening
When a tick is attached to a dog’s body and feeds for about 24 to 48 hours, it transfers the infectious factor into the bloodstream of that dog via its saliva.it is very rare that dogs can contract the tick-borne disease by the ingestion of an infected tick.
Regions with high risk of tick-borne diseases
Tick-borne disease is common in the United States but it is widely present in regions which have water bodies, tall grass and wooded areas. These comprises the West Coast, Midwest, Northeast and Southeast.
Why tick-borne disease occurs in dogs
Dogs are susceptible of having the tick-borne disease on an exposure to the ticks, particularly during the warmer months as this is the time when ticks are generally more active. Ticks are present widely across the united states but the regions with plenty of woody areas, fields and tall grass have high tick populations. Dogs who live there or travel to these regions have high chances to contract the tick-borne disease. Dogs have a higher risk of tick-borne diseases if they do not have year-round tick prevention medication.
Symptoms you might see
You might see these signs of tick-borne disease in your dog.
- Pale eyes and skin.
- Blood in urine.
- Diarrhea.
- Vomit.
- Muscle wasting.
- Difficult breath.
- Pale gums.
- Swelling in the belly and legs.
- Eye discharge or bloody nasal discharge.
- Weight loss.
- Fever.
- Pain in joints.
- Decrement of appetite.
- Lethargy.
- Lameness.
Common tick-borne diseases in our dogs
Rickettsial disease
Rickettsial bacteria_the microorganism which can only remain alive in the cells of other living organisms like ticks. Conditions like Canine Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can occur if these bacteria are transferred in a dog’s body via the bite of an infected tick. These bacterial infections are very difficult to diagnose. Multiple tests and treatment rounds might be required before an ultimate detection can be intended for the symptoms of your dog.
Anaplasmosis
Anaplasmosis is also a type of tick-borne disease, occurs due to Anaplasma platys_transfer by brown dog ticks and Anaplasma phagocytophilum_transfer by western black legged ticks and deer ticks, can be found across the canada and United States, while Southwest, Gulf Coast, California, North Central State, mid-Atlantic and Northeast has higher rates.
Symptoms
Anaplasma platys_bruising on belly and gums, nosebleeds etc.
Anaplasma phagocytophilum_neurological signs or neck pain, lameness, lethargy, appetite loss.
Ehrlichiosis
A variety of ticks can transfer ehrlichiosis such as lone star tick, brown dog tick and american dog tick.
Symptoms
The symptoms of ehrlichiosis might appear after 1 to 3 weeks of infection. It may include:
- Bruising.
- Nosebleed.
- Appetite loss.
- Fever.
For a better treatment, an early diagnosis is required. But if you see the chronic symptoms of ehrlichiosis then treatment can prove to be very difficult.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
A significant tick-borne disease_rocky mountain spotted fever (RMSF) occurs by Rickettsia rickettsia bacteria_transfer by lone star tick and American dog tick. RMSF in dogs appears suddenly, causing acute illness which can last for 2 weeks and might be fatal incase left untreated. As RMSF is a zoonotic disease, it can affect humans also. Though RMSF is widely spread in rocky mountain states. However, it is also found across Southeast, Canada and the United States.
Symptoms
- Neurological symptoms like tremors and weakness.
- Stiffness and pain in joints.
- Appetite loss.
- Lethargy.
- Fever.
Protozoal disease
Another organism’s type are protozoal parasites which are spread by ticks. These parasites live inside the red blood cells of dogs and cause several health problems there. It includes:
Hepatozoonosis
Canine hepatozoonosis occurs by parasites of Hepatozoon species like Hepatozoon americanum_transfer by brown dog tick, Hepatozoon canis_transfer by gulf coast tick. Dissimilar to the other varieties of tick-borne disease which transfer by tick bites, hepatozoonosis occurs when a dog engulfs an infected tick.
Symptoms
- Hepatozoon americanum: Fever, muscle pain and discharge from eyes.
- Hepatozoon canis: Appetite loss, weight loss and lethargy.
Babesiosis
Babesiosis is a type of tick-borne disease caused by bacterias of Babesia species like Babesia vogeli_transfer by brown dog tick and Babesia gibsoni_transfer by blood transfusions or dog bites. Babesiosis occurs across the U.S and Canada.
Symptoms
- Weight loss.
- Appetite loss.
- Vomit.
- Weakness.
- Lethargy.
- Lyme disease
Lyme disease is a type of tick-borne disease_caused by bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which affects both dogs and humans across North America.
Symptoms
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
- Swelling or pain in joints.
- Fever.
- Lameness.
- Lethargy.
However, in dogs the lyme disease can be treated successfully.
Treatment of tick-borne disease
Broad spectrum antibiotics are used to treat tick-borne disease in dogs. Your veterinarian might also recommend probiotics to you for the prevention of gastrointestinal problems while you are giving your dog antibiotics for treatment of tick-borne disease. The deep rooted conditions of tick-borne disease can be tough to defeat. Even if you see that your dog has fully recovered now, regular blood tests might be required for catching the potential recurrence without delay.
Give protection to your dog from tick-borne disease
- You should know about the tick species and the relevant diseases in your locality.
- Use preventatives like tick collars and topical medications. Don’t forget that these products will just lessen the tick exposure but will not give the surety or complete protection.
- If your dog has an outdoor time spent routine, you should daily inspect him for ticks. Have a keen interest in the areas like upper legs, shoulders, ears and head.
- On finding the tick, remove it immediately with the help of tweezers for a safe tick pull from your dog’s skin. Abstain the squeezing and crushing of ticks to lessen the chances of disease transfer.
- Avoid using human tick repellent spray on the dog because these chemicals can cause toxicity in case of ingestion.
- You should consider annual testing for the tick-borne disease in your dog, and ask your vet about it. Better treatment and results can occur in case of early detection.
- As antibodies take time to develop so the first test might be negative. Therefore your vet might suggest a second test after a few weeks.
- Substitute, discuss with your vet for the usage of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic testing for the direct identification of pathogens.
Conclusion
Till now you have read the article very keenly. I know it is very hurtful for our pooch. But what we can do is to follow simple steps for removing ticks from dogs or the preventatives like broad spectrum antibiotics. You should also follow the preventive measures as well. As prevention is more important than treatment.
