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

CYTAUX

For our first informative post, I am writing about one of my LEAST favorite diseases ever. This nasty tick-borne disease affects cats and causes non-specific signs with a high mortality. This is Cytauxazoonosis.

Cytauxazoonosis is an infection of the organism Cytauzxoon felis in cats. It is transmitted by ticks in the southeastern states. It is found in several feline species as reservoir hosts, most notably in the bobcat. This is where it gets its nickname, “Bobcat Fever.”

Cats infected with Cytauxazoonosis typically become extremely ill, very suddenly. They can become icteric (jaundiced – yellow gums), lethargic, weak and anorexic. They typically have a very high fever. They also may have pale gums, depending on how severe their anemia has become.

Bloodwork on cats with Cytauxazoonosis typically shows an anemia (low red blood cell count) and a variable white blood cell count. The white blood cell count (WBC) can sometimes indicate the stage of the disease. Early on, cats may have an elevated WBC, but as their disease advances, the WBC may drop dramatically. A diagnosis is usually made by examining a blood smear and visualizing the “signet ring” shaped organisms in red blood cells. Cats can also be dehydrated or have elevated liver enzymes, depending on the severity and duration of their disease.

Treatment of Cytauxazoonosis is a little controversial. The older treatment regime has been two injections of Imidocarb (an anti-babesia drug) 14 days apart, along with an antibiotic (typically enrofloxacin or azithromycin). A newer protocol is an anti-malarial drug named Atoquovaone combined with an antibiotic (typically azithromycin). The problem with Atoquavaone is that it is a bit hard to come by and very expensive. There are some reports of 60% survival rate with this newer protocol.

Prognosis is grave and there is typically a poor response to treatment. Most cats die within two weeks of their initial visit to the vet. Unfortunately, this disease attacks red blood cells quickly and cats can have a severe infection before you even know your kitty is sick.

So, this is such a nasty disease that is prevalent in the Middle Tennessee area. How can you protect your feline friends? Using a monthly topical product to repel fleas and TICKS is very important. This is recommended in all cats with access to the outdoors (perhaps even in all cats, period). Topical ectoparasite medication is an easy, economical and effective way to ensure you never lose a cat to such a nasty disease like Cytauxazoonosis.

Flea and tick prevention recommended in cats includes Easy Spot and Frontline Plus. Remember, even indoor cats need protection from fleas and ticks. Mark your calendar and give ectoparasites control to your cats every month.

Please post any questions you have, and I will do my best to answer them!

- H