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Tick-borne diseases are a growing threat to the health of dogs as well as that of their human parents. Ticks may be tiny but donโt let their sizes fool you. They pack a big punch, causing big problems for our beloved furry friends. A tick is a parasite that attaches itself to animals and humans, feeding on their blood and transmitting rare and dangerous diseases into the hostโs body. The disease is transmitted through the bite of the tick. Some of the most dangerous that ticks can pass onto dogs are Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Babesiosis, Hepatazoonosis, and Bartonellosis.
All of these diseases have serious health effects on dogs
and some of these also affect people negatively. Many of these diseases are
diagnosed at an annual rate. But many are also left undiagnosed and untreated.
A diagnosis can only be made through blood analysis. Dogs are most likely to be
affected by ticks because they are inquisitive by nature. So wandering into
meadows and forests are common for them. Furthermore, their stature is more
low-lying, making them closest to the ground in comparison to humans. Here are
some of the most common tick-borne diseases in dogs.
1. Lyme Disease
This disease comes from a deer tickโs bite. Although it
was first discovered in Lyme, Connecticut, it can now be found all over the
world. Symptoms of the disease range from lethargy, joint pain, decreased
appetite, fever, and fever. These signs may take months to become noticeable.
2. Anaplasmosis
More famously known as dog fever, this infection has
similar symptoms to Lyme disease with the inclusion of vomiting and diarrhea.
If the infection becomes severe, your dog may also experience seizures. Deer
ticks spread Anaplasmosis.
3. Ehrlichiosis
This is one of the most common tick-borne diseases in the
world. Itโs caused by a brown dog tickโs bite. Symptoms of the disease range from
decreased appetite, fever, depression, weight loss, watery eyes, runny nose,
bloody nose, enlarged limbs or lymph nodes, and respiratory distress.
4. Rocky Mountain
Spotted Fever
Contrary to the previous tick-borne diseases, the onset of
symptoms for the Rocky Mountain spotted fever is much quicker. Allowing for
early diagnosis and faster treatment. Symptoms include muscle or joint pain,
fever, anemia, anorexia, skin lesions, depression, vomiting, and neurological
abnormalities. This disease is spread by four ticks. Namely, the wood tick,
brown tick, Lone Star tick, and the American dog tick.
5. Babesiosis
This disease is spread by the brown tick and American dog
tick. Symptoms of the disease include anemia, fever, dark urine, weakness, and
swollen lymph nodes.
6. Hepatazoonosis
Unlike most other tick-borne diseases, this disease is
transmitted when your dog ingests an infected Gulf Coast tick or brown dog
tick. Symptoms range from a runny nose, diarrhea, muscle pain, and watery eyes.
7. Bartonellosis
This infection is transmitted by the bite of an infected
brown tick as well as other parasites like fleas and lice. Symptoms include
fever, nausea, shivering, lameness, painful lymph nodes, and restlessness.
Donโt start panicking the moment you find a tick on your dog. Not all
ticks are carriers. Only those that are infected. You can prevent the
transmission of tick-borne diseases by using tick prevention collars.
Furthermore, there are monthly liquid treatments and pills available for the
prevention of tick-borne diseases.