Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs - A Guest Blog!

Our new technician, Tiffany, has adapted a report she did in school to educate everyone on tick-borne diseases that affected our canine companions. Thanks to Tiff and congrats on her graduation this weekend! We can't wait to get her working full time!

Tick Borne Diseases

What Is a Tick Borne Disease?

• This is a disease that is carried by infected ticks, which transmits the disease to dogs through biting them.

What are the most common tick borne diseases in our area?

1.     Lyme Disease

2.     Ehrlichiosis

3.     Anaplasmosis

4.     Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

What is Lyme’s Disease?

• Is caused by a bacteria known as Borrelia bourgdorferi. This disease is transmitted by the black-legged tick.                                                     

What is Ehrlichiosis?

• Is caused by a rickettsial bacteria that infects the white blood cells. There are two forms of Ehrlichia that can be found in your dog.

1.     Ehrlichia canis

2.     Ehrlichia ewingii

• Ehrlichia canis is transmitted by the brown dog tick. This disease mostly affects the dog's bone marrow.

• Ehrlichia ewingii is transmitted by the lone star tick. This disease leads to joint pain and lameness.                                                   

What is Anaplasmosis?

• Caused by an infectious bacterium known as Anaplasma. There are also two forms of this disease as well that your dog can contractt.

1.     Anaplasma phagocytophilum

2.     Anaplasma platys

• Anaplasma phagocytophilum is transmitted by the deer tick. This tick causes an infection in  the white blood cells.                                                

• Anaplasma platys is transmitted by the brown dog tick. This tick causes an infection of the blood platelets that can lead to bleeding disorders.                                                  

What is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?

• This disease is caused by a rickettsial bacteria that reproduces only inside living cells. This disease is transmitted by the American dog tick.

Symptoms tick borne diseases cause in your dog are : muscle aches, fatigue, decrease in appetite and energy, and fever.  These symptoms can also be indicators of other clinical problems. Therefore, if you suspect your pet may have been exposed to one of the diseases, a simple blood test can tell us if the dog has in fact been exposed to the disease. Based on these results, treatment plan can be designed to match your animal's needs.

The best way to protect your dog from getting these tick borne diseases is by using preventatives on your pet that kills all the life cycles of the tick.  Products like Ovitral, Parastar Plus, K9 Advantix, and Fronline plus work very well when used every month. We recommend using parasite prevention year-round in the Middle Tennessee area. 

- Tiffany

Puking Pup? - Motion Sickness in Pets

Bridget Riding Shotgun. Carsick Free!

As it heats up around the south and school lets out, chances are you will be headed outside and on the road with your pet! However, if your pet gets car sick, that can seriously put a damper on summer vacations. Motion sickness is also one of the reasons some pets don’t make it to the vet as often as they should. Simply put, owners just do not want to clean that up. So, here is a bit of information to help reduce the stress and actual vomiting involved in your pet’s carsickness.

Motion sickness is usually noticed in pets once they actually vomit in the car. Naturally, that will bring about a response from most owners. Often, the early signs of carsickness can be missed. They are similar to signs of nausea for any reason and include drooling, panting, licking of the lips and even yawning. If you notice you pet with any of these signs after a short car ride, chances are these symptoms could progress and lead to vomiting on a longer road trip.

Many pets often have anxiety associated with car rides. This can lead to nausea and vomiting as well. With cats, the anxiety is usually triggered as soon as the carrier comes out. Getting your cat used to the carrier is very helpful when it comes to car rides. We recommend leaving the carrier out in a well-used room, like the living room or kitchen, so your cat can explore it without any risk of being locked in and taken to the scary vet’s office. You can make your cat even more comfortable by occasionally putting a treat or two in the carrier as a surprise reward.

If your pet has some anxiety associated with a car ride, there are a few things you can do to make it easier on them. Start off with simply bringing your pet near and/or in the car without going anywhere. They can then get used to the smell and presence of the vehicle. Next up, progress to short car rides either around the block or down the street to the pick up the kids from school. Once you return, reward your pet for surviving with a treat or two.  After you master the car ride, make sure your pet is comfortable during the car ride. Remember, if you are hot while driving your car, your furry friend definitely is!

The above suggestions can make major strides in correcting motion sickness in pets. Sometimes, however, they are just not enough. There are several different medications that can be used for motion sickness. Cerenia is an antiemetic that is used often to treat and prevent motion sickness. If your pet’s carsickness is more anxiety driven, anti-anxiety medications should be considered. There are a multitude of options that are readily available. Please let us know next time you are in the office with your pet, and we can discuss which medication is most appropriate for your situation.

Now after educating yourself, I hope you can take that lake or beach trip this summer with Fido in tow, and no messes to clean up. If you have any questions, please comment below or give our office a call!