THOSE NASTY TICKS!!

Check your pet for ticks on a regular basis! There are 2 common diseases carried by the tick. One is Lyme Disease and the other is Ehrlichiosis (err-lick-e-o-sis)! (We have several excellent products to avoid exposure to ticks!!) Here is a brief explanation of each:

LYME DISEASE:

Deer ticks, which are prevalent in various parts of the United States, are the major carrier of Lyme disease. But some other species of ticks can also carry the disease. Deer ticks are tiny parasites that are difficult to see with the naked eye and can easily hide on people and pets.

For the bacteria to spread to the victim, ticks must remain attacahed for about 48 hours - which is why it's so important to detect them early. It is unlikely that your pet will spread ticks to you-once attached, ticks enjoy only one meal!

Other ticks can also carry the bacteria, and ticks themselves are spread by many different animals, including birds that may transport them long distances. Ticks also spread such diseases as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Ehrilichiosis (discussed below). When it comes to ticks, don't take any chances!

What to Watch For:

• Fever - Your pet's abdomen may feel overly warm to the touch.
• Depression - Your pet may be lethargic.
• Lack of Appetite
• Lameness - This sign is one of the most common; your pet may be limping or have swollen or painful joints
• "Bull's Eye" Rash - This rash is a strong clue that the bacteria has been transmitted but keep in mind that hair may disguise the rash on your pet.

If you see any of these signs, bring your pet in for an appointment immediately!

EHRLICHIOSIS:

This is a potentially life-threatening disease your dog can get from the common brown dog tick! When an infected tick bites your dog, the feeding site becomes contaminated, potentially infecting the dog with a parasite. The symptoms range from mild to severe, depending on the phase of the infection and your dog's physical reaction to the parasite. This disease effects the dog's blood cells. Also, unlike Lyme disease, there is no proven cases of direct transmission of this parasite from dogs to people. The brown tick rarely bites people.

What to Watch For:

• Acute Phase: In the early stages, your dog may not show many symptoms or may seem a little depressed. He may also lose his appetite or have a runny nose or eyes.
• Subclinical Phase: This phase may last for years. In some dogs, the immune system may be able to eliminate the parasite but if he is unable to do so, damage to the bone marrow may continue and the dog will progress to the chronic phase.
• Chronic Phase: In this third stage of an untreated infection, your dog will likely show more severe signs of illness. These can last for years. The severity and progression of the disease varies from dog to dog but are linked to his age and exposures to other diseases. You may see nose bleeds or blood in the dog's urine. Other problems can develop, such as in the kidneys, the nervous system, and the reproductive system. Joints may also be affected. In severe cases, these conditions are potentially life threatening.

It's simple to reduce exposure to either of these tick borne diseases. Contact our office to learn more about the collars and topical treatments we have available!

Go to our Fleas, Ticks, Mites & More! page to see other external parasite problems!

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