April 2011

April 2011: Prevent Ticks from Spreading Disease

Dear Doctor: My Lab was recently diagnosed with Lyme and Anaplasma – she is fine now, but I am worried about my other two dogs. How can I prevent the disease in the future?

Signed,

Phillip in Stevens Point

For those unfamiliar with these infections, Lyme and Anaplasma are classified as Rickettsial diseases, and they are transmitted by the Ixodes tick, also known as the Deer or Blacklegged tick. If an infected tick attaches to a dog for several hours, the rickettsial organism can be transmitted. In some animals, the immune system will not allow the organism to become a problem; in other words, symptoms will never develop. However, in many cases, some level of disease will occur.

Symptoms are similar between these rickettsial diseases, including sore joints and decreased activity. Some patients will have a sudden, intense onset of disease, while others have more subtle disease. The patients with a sudden onset generally have a fever, several sore joints, neck or back pain, loss of appetite and/or reluctance to move, making diagnosis easier because the changes are so dramatic. For the remaining patients, the disease may mimic the classic form of arthritis, known as degenerative joint disease. The symptoms are more gradual, which are often dismissed by pet owners as normal aging. In either scenario, blood testing will help to identify most of the patients that have been exposed to one or both of these diseases, with the majority of patients responding well to treatment. Unfortunately, some pets will develop long-term health problems, and a few will die from complications despite appropriate treatment.

Since the disease can have various degrees of severity, the best approach is as you suggest: prevention. The only way to prevent the development of any of the rickettsial diseases is to keep ticks from attaching to your pets. Unfortunately, we do not have a method to repel ticks that has 100 percent effectiveness, but many of the popular tick preventatives are considered to be well over ninety percent effective. When deciding on a preventative, you need to take into consideration whether it will be effective when wet, how long the preventative will last, potential side effects, and safety during pregnancy. I would recommend that you consult your veterinarian regarding the best tick preventative product for your pets. I caution pet owners that not all products protect against all types of ticks. It is essential to verify that the product will protect against the Ixodes scapularis tick (the Deer tick). If the package does not specifically state this fact, than you cannot assume it will be effective against the major diseases you are trying to prevent. The popular preventatives are available in spot-on topical liquids or slow-release collars. The best products will provide protection for the entire body, not just around the neck.

In this area of Wisconsin, the majority of pets that are allowed outside are at risk for tick attachment. It is essential to start the preventatives prior to seeing the first tick of the year, so start your preventative now if you do not use a product year-round. You should also check your pet at least once daily for any ticks on the skin or hair coat, removing them immediately. Discuss the Lyme vaccination with your veterinarian to determine if it may be appropriate for your pet. I am glad your girl is doing well, and best wishes for a tick-free year.