TICK BORNE DISEASES IN DOGS

TICK BORNE DISEASES IN DOGS Ticks not only suck blood, cause disturbance but also transmit diseases to dogs. Ticks transmit diseases through the bites. A tick has to be infected with the disease to be able to infect the dog with the disease. The following diseases are transmitted by ticks: Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Bartonellosis and Hepatozoonosis. LYME DISEASE It’s caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Its transmitted by the blacklegged tick (Deer tick). A dog infected with this disease will exhibit the following signs: fever, lameness, limping, joint pain/swelling, enlarged lymph nodes, lethargy and lack of appetite. Diagnosis is confirmed by blood test ERLICHIOSIS It’s caused by Elrichia canis. Its transmitted by the brown dog tick. A dog infected with Ehrlichiosis will exhibit the following signs: fever, lack of appetite, low blood platelets, lethargy, dullness and loss of weight. Diagnosis is confirmed by blood test. ANAPLASMOSIS It’s caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Its transmitted by the blacklegged tick (Deer tick). A dog infected with Anaplasmosis exhibit the following signs: lameness, joint pain, fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and enlarged lymph nodes. Diagnosis is confirmed by blood test. BABESIOSIS It’s caused by Babesia gibsoni. Its transmitted by several tick species. It’s also transmitted trans placentally, through blood transfusion and mechanically through shared piercing objects. A dog infected with Babesiosis exhibit the following signs: fever, anemia, destruction of red blood cells, jaundice, red urine, lack of appetite, dullness, lethargy and weight loss. Diagnosis is confirmed by blood test. BARTONELLOSIS It’s caused by Bartonella. Its transmitted by fleas, sand flies, lice and ticks. A dog infected with Bartonellosis exhibits the following signs: fever, enlarged spleen and liver, lameness, enlarged lymph nodes, endocarditis and myocarditis. Diagnosis is confirmed through blood test. HEPATOZOONOSIS It’s caused by Hepatozoon canis and Hepatozoon americanumis. Its transmitted when the dog swallows an infected tick. Dog infected with this disease exhibits the following signs: fever, weight loss, lethargy, lack of appetite, muscle pain and weakness, reluctance to move.