Diseases Caused by Flea & Tick Bites in Canines

This article was compiled after I read something on Facebook about a border collie who died of kidney failure as a complication of Lyme Disease.  Lyme Disease is caused by tick bites and can be prevented.  Lyme disease is a very debilitating disease that attacks the dog's immune system and causes chronic joint pain.  Though kidney failure is one of the rare complications from Lyme disease, the fact that that one dog's early death (I think she was 4 years old) could have been avoided really angered me.  The owner of the border collie stated that even though he was always giving them flea and tick baths, they'd still get ticks.  This man is an avid mountain biker in the Pacific Northwest and took his dogs on many of his outings.  Baths do not prevent fleas and ticks, it kills the ones that are already on the dog.  He could have done flea and tick collars, Frontline Plus or a similar topical, brushing and combing following outings to try to get all the ticks off, powder, diatamacious earth (sp)... he chose to do nothing. He had options.  Options that were far less expensive then the poor dog's last days and extended vet visits.  Life saving options.  My question is this:  "How much did he really love his dog?"  And  "Did he learn from this?"  "Will he take care of the surviving dog?"

This is the dog... Rest in Peace you beautiful girl.

I want to start this article by saying that Prevention is the best medicine in the case of parasites of all types.  Do not wait for a tick to bite.  If a tick has bitten, it has already infected your dog. With the many types of preventatives and repellents, keeping our dogs and cats parasite free is made easier. What is out there?

1- Flea/Tick collars- Hartz etc., New long-term flea/tick collars
2- Flea/Tick Repel Shampoos- Hartz etc.
3- Internal preventatives- Comfortis, Heartguard, Interceptor, Trifexis
4- External preventatives- Frontline, Advantix...
5- Flea/Tick Sprays and "Bombs"

One could use more than one of these products for increased protection.  Talk to your Veterinarian about Flea/Tick (and other parasites) protection for your animal.  

 Flea and Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs:  Preventable Risks

FLEA ALLERGIES-

Fleas are frequently the culprit of many itchy dogs and cats, and result in Flea Allergy Dermatitis in some animals.  My dog has been prescribed "Comfortis" which is a montly oral drug to keep fleas from biting, used in conjunction with Frontline Plus or the likes which is a montly topical.  When she is suffering a lot, she is given antihistamines (orally) and I put Hydrocortisone on any rashes she may have on her. 

Flea Life Cycle by:
http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/fleas.htm







TYPES OF TICKS
Photographs of Ticks from:
http://www.tickinfo.com/index.htm

American Dog Tick- AKA Dog Tick, Wood Tick
Diseases related to the American Dog Tick are: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tuleremia, Human Granulocytic Erlichiosis

Brown Dog Tick

Deer Tick- AKA the European Wood Tick AKA Sheep Tick,  Western Black Legged tick AKA Bear Tick, Black Legged Tick AKA Deer Tick
Diseases related to the Deer Tick:  Lyme Disease, Babesiosis, Erlichiosis/Anaplasmosis.

Gulf Coast Tick-

Rocky Mountain Tick- Diseases related to this tick: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tuleremia, Colorado Tick Fever, Major cause of Tick paralysis.

Lone Star Tick- AKA Seed Tick

Diseases related to the Lone Star Tick are:  Tuleremia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Southern Tick Assisted Rash Illness (STARI)
Named Lone Star for the white spot or star on the center of the back of the female.

Flea and Tick-Bourne Illnesses

1) Lyme Disease (Borreliosis)- spread by the Deer & Dog Ticks,

Onset of symptoms can be 2 months- 5-6 Months.  Lyme is the most common tick-bourne disease.  Its symptoms are: Sudden onset of lameness, swelling in the joints, that is often accompanied by fever, anorexia and lethargy.  Renal failure caused by Lyme disease has the following symptoms:  Lethergy, vomiting, change in urine output, (and increase of fluid intake).  Also look for weightloss, decrease of appetite,  and apathy.  Rare complications that may result in Lyme disease are renal failure, neurological and heart damage.  Lyme disease is easily preventable.  By using a topical Flea & Tick preventative like Frontline Plus, Pet Armor, Advantix or the likes usually do a really good job at deterring fleas and ticks.  With my dog, when we have traveled to high tick areas, I may find a couple of ticks on her, but they never bite and never look like they will last much longer.  I get my topical Flea & Tick preventative from my vet.  Walmart sells Pet Armour for $26.  It is about $10 to get only a single dose.  Also available is a Lyme vaccine and during my dog's annual heartworm test, she is tested for Lyme disease and some other diseases spread by flea and tick bites.  If you add a flea & tick collar to all of that, your dog ought to be bombproof.

2) Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever- a bacteria spread by flea & tick bites,

There are multiple strains of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (or Rickettsiae).  Those strains are:  Typhus, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever,  flea-bourne spotted fever and tick-bourne fever.  Diagnosis depends on the strain of the disease and the associated illness

3) Meningoencephalitis-

Is an inflammatory disease that can be caused by many tick-bourne viruses.  It affects the brain and spinal cord along with the surrounding membranes resulting in:  a loss of nervous system function, fever, pain, convulsions, and paralysis.  A rapid onset disease that can be fatal.  This disease can be diagnosed by a spinal tap, Treatment of antibiotics and anticonvulsants if it is caused by a tick-bourne virus.

4) Tularemia (Rabbit Fever)

Symptoms are Lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, enlarged lymph nodes.  This disease is difficult to diagnose, but if caught early, treatment can be successful.  Treatment for this disease is antibiotics.

5) Tick Paralysis- spread by the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick & the American Dog Tick,

There are toxins within the tick's saliva capable of causing paralysis in dogs.  Initially the legs will go weak.  If untreated, this can spread to the torso.  Usually removing the tick will resolve the paralysis.  However, if the tick is not removed correctly it can be fatal.

6) Canine Erlichiosis/Anaplasmosis- spread by the Brown Dog Tick, Deer Tick

This disease is an infection that destroys white blood cells in the body of the host.  Symptoms of this infection can be lethargy, weight loss, anemia, and enlarged lymph nodes and spleen.  It is diagnosed with blood tests and is usually responsive by aggressive treatment with antibiotics called Doxycycline.

7) Babesiosis- Spread by the Brown Dog & American Dog Ticks

Puppies seem to get this disease more frequently than dogs, and with more severe symptoms.  Those symptoms can include: lethargy, fever, enlarged lymph nodes.  It can be treated by antibiotics.  some dogs become carriers, thus infecting more ticks and spreading the disease.

8) Tapeworms- spread by fleas,

This is a parasitic flatworm transmitted by fleas.  It is ingested during grooming.  The worm lives in the digestive tract of the host, and will shed its reproductive segments (called proglottids) that then passed  through and out of the body by feces of the  host.  These worms are visible to the naked eye which makes it easy to diagnose.

9) Canine Bartonella- a Parasite spread by fleas & ticks,

The parasite attaches to red blood cells.  There is usually no sign of illness.  Rarely, the host could become anemic resulting from the excessive breakdown of affected red blood cells.

DEFINITIONS OF KEY WORDS:

Red blood cells- Erythrocyte

contain the pigment called hemoglobin,  which imparts the red color to blood and transport oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the tissues of the body.

White blood cells- Leucocyte

A colorless cell which circulates in the blood and body fluids and is involved in counteracting foreign substances and disease.

Lymph nodes-

Each of a number of mall swellings in the lymphatic system of the body where lymph is filtered and lymphocytes are formed.

Lymphatic System- 

The network of vessels through which lymph drains from the tissue into the blood.

Lymph-

A colorless fluid containing white blood cells which bathes the tissues and drains through the lymphatic system into the bloodstream.  It is fluid exuding from a sore or inflamed tissue.

Parasite-
An organism which lives in or on another organism (it's host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the other's (host) expense.

Ectoparasites-

Parasites that live on the surface of their host, such as fleas, ticks, mites, lice and many insects infesting plants and cause varying degrees of damage to their hosts.

Endoparasites-

Parasites that live in the gut or tissues of it's host.  This includes many types of worms, like the tapeworm, heartworm, and cause varying degrees of damaage or disease to the host.

Bacterium- Singular form of Bacteria.

A member of a large group of unicellular micro-organisms which have cell walls, but lack organelles and an organized nucleus, including some which can cause disease.

Virus-

An infective agent that typically consists of a nucleic acit molecule in a protein coat, is too small to be seen by light microscopy, and is able to multiply only within the living cells of a host.  Example:  The Hepatitis B Virus.

Heartworm Disease- Caused by Mosquito Bites

 

Heartworms are very preventable.  Prevention, compared to the treatment after infestation, is inexpensive and easy.  Treatment however, though possible, is complicated and expensive, and takes weeks for the animal to recover.  Some animals have a  negative reaction to the medication and don't make it through treatment.

Heartworm infestations may not be detected in a dog who is only in the early stages.  As the number of worms accumulates over time (from months to years) and as the dog is bitten by more mosquitos, the infestation becomes gradually noticeable.  A Heavily infected dog will show the symptoms of the Heartworm infestation that is growing inside of his/her body.  The dog may have signs such as a mild and persistant cough, wheeze, hesitation to move and exercise because of fatique, reduced appetitie and weight loss.

Diagnosis- For dogs appearing to be healthy, Heartworms can be diagnosed by a bloodtest, Antigen/Microfilariae, although neither test will test consistantly positive until 7 months after the infection.

In dogs more advanced with Heartworm disease, a diagnosis can  be made by ultrasound and/or X-Ray.

Prevention is easy and very effective if you can stay on schedule with the preventative medication.  These preventions can come in the form of monthly chewables or topicals to 6- month injections.  Veterinarians reccommend testing for heartworm on a yearly basis, such as during your dogs annual exam.  One such test also checks for other parasitic infestations related to flea or  tick bites, including Lyme.  Typically a vet will not give you heartworm preventatives (by script)  if you do not get your dog tested first.  Every year my dog gets tested, and the vet will prescribe her Interceptor for the year til her next appointment a year later.

Heartworms in the Pulmonary Artery of a dog.
Photograph of Heartworms from:
http://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/heartworm.html#signs



WARNINGS:
Before you use more than one preventative on your pet, check with your animal's vet.  Some animals are chemical sensitive and may need to use one very specific type of flea/tick/worm remedy.

Ivermectin Alert:
Some collie-type breeds are sensitive (it is caused by a genetic mutation) to products with Ivermectin (a widely used Heartworm remedy) in them.  Before you know if this includes your collie-type dog, use an alternative.  There is a blood test that can be taken to tell if your dog carries that affected (collie-type) gene.  Death can occur if your collie-type dog ingests Ivermectin or products containing Ivermectin.  (Collies, Shelties, Border Collies, Kelpies, Australian Shepherds)

The Resources I used:

http://www.lakelandveterinaryhospital.com/Anaplasmosis.htm
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/the-dangers-of-ticks-in-dogs/page1.aspx
http://www.petcarerx.com/c/96/flea-tick/faqs/what-diseases-are-caused-by-ticks
http://www.vetinfo.com/7-diseases-spread-by-fleas-and-ticks.html
http://www.tickinfo.com/index.htm
http://www.grca.org/health/flea_tick.html
http://www.petparents.com/riskmap.aspx/index#
http://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/heartworm.html#signs

If you want to know more, the above links may help you!

Photos... Rowena at Work and Play!

You can't tell that I'm proud of my girl, can you?

And proud of our accomplishments!
Above left- Here we are at the mall right after we passed our PAT (Public Access Test)
Top Right- Rosie and I pose with our Service Dog Team certificate.
Bottom- Rosie with her Service Dog Team certificate.

Working: Rowena with Benny

Rosie and Benny stand by while their humans eat at a Wendy's Restaurant.

Rosie and Benny acting as greeters at Target.  "Welcome to Target!  Is that a service dog?"

Rosie and I visit Benny and his human in the hospital.

Rosie and Benny, meet for the first time and pose for this picture taken in the Bangor Mall.

At Play: Rowena and Benny

Benny is a little larger than she is used to playing with.

Rosie at Work:  Going Places

Rosie and me... Maine State Capitol,  Augusta State House, Augusta, Maine.  Notice the security guy above us.  He came out while we were climbing the steps.  There were no signs saying "stay off the steps" that I saw.

Rosie enjoys the view and rest at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC.

"EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW"
Psychiatric service dogs and their humans pose in front of the court house in Washington DC.  Neil brown-nosed the security guy so we could get a group picture here.  In the lower photo you can see me with Rosie on the far right.

Opening Doors:  Learning New Things







Learning how to help with Laundry.

Young Rosie accompanied me to the ER when I was sick.  Everyone loved her!

Rosie the weary traveler waiting for her flight out of Washington DC after a long visit.  She is actually standing while resting her head on my suitcase.

Do you ever feel like you are being watched while using a restroom in a public place?

I think Rosie was a bit less than a year here when she attended the first folk festival in Bangor, Maine.

Rosie met Winston, a blue shaded sable border collie, at the 3rd Annual PSDS Gathering in Washington DC.  That was the first time there for the both of them.

Sometimes a service dog feels like a superstar that everyone wants their picture taken with.  This girl (we have never seen her before) wanted her picture taken with Rosie as we were getting icecream at an outdoor dining place in Hamden, Maine.



This girl we DO know.  Her family housed Blizzard for a while when he was here.

Autism Awareness walk event in Bangor, Maine.  Rosie waits patiently with one SD in training and one SD on the job.


Rosie Around Town

We often go and play at the fairgrounds.  This is (obviously) the area with all the stables.  She almost looks like a "real" border collie!

I took Rosie out in her Ruff Wear gear one evening to get some photos.

She first poses for me at home

Rosie in Uniform after a long day.  Downtown Bangor.

Sometimes I ask her to pose in weird places.  This would be one of those times.  She so wants to please me, all she needs is a little coaxing and I can usually talk her into it  This was taken at Perry's Nuthouse just outside of Belfast, Maine.

I wanted her right under foot!  Now that's a change!  This oversized L.L. Bean boot is fairly new to the Bean's outlet in Freeport, Maine.

This is Rosie sitting under the giant Paul Bunyan statue in Bangor.  She really is scared of this huge woodsmen. She dealt with it just fine on this day.

Rosie also hates other statues.  It's the fact that they are very human looking and very large and don't smell like a human. No... that's not it.  She saw a cloak hanging on a hat post in a restaurant once and she was terrified of it.  She thought it was human!  I had to bait her and coax her towards it so I could show her it wasn't a person, just a coat.

At Play:  Rosie and Blizzard

Rosie and Blizzard:  Blizzard's first day out to play with Rosie since winter.

Look at Blizzard's big goofy tongue!  Rosie was just tolerating him that day.

This is one of the last times Rosie and Blizzard played.  I had to surrender him to the BC rescue and I really hope they kept their promise and worked with him.  He was very fear aggressive and had poor housepet manners.  He had burnt all his bridges.  We were supposed to be in Oregon, but it didn't happen and I had to surrender him.  Broke my heart to bits.

Blizzard is NOT a water dog.  He didn't understand toys, let alone the whole fetching thing.

Rosie and pack playtime!  Winter in Saxl Park in Bangor, Maine.

Again, Saxl park.  Rosie's best friend Chloe is the Puggle in the back.

Rosie in a sneak attack on Chloe, Rosie's bestest friend ever.

Rosie performs a sneak attack on her buddy, Chloe.

Sofian is the Yellow Lab mix:  "Oops!  Didn't see you all there!"  He somehow TRIPS over the other 3 dogs.  He was pretty old, blind and deaf here.

These two always had a blast

Gnawing on each other playfully

Playing chase and tag

running side by side in matching coats

Chloe wins this game!  She AROOOOs with happiness over her conquered friend.

"I am the dog whisperer"  Okay so treats do help ALOT to gain attention and control.

Action!  

The attack!  Whoa, there you are!

running on the beach

Avoiding a nip

STRETCH puppies!

Playing on the beach

Rosie invites Sofian to a game of tag

Rosie dodges Chloe

Chloe wins!

Last spring, Rosie and I met up with a heeler we know at the city forest. (Diesel?)  When we had seen him last he was a small pup!

Playing With Lobo and Cinco

Lobo was trained by his sister to not be pushy.

Lobo hoping Rosie will surrender the frisbee like his older sister does.  Rosie has no intention of letting go of the frisbee.

Rosie (foreground) playing with Lobo (Left) and Cinco, Lobo's older sister (Right).  They are waiting for the frisbee. Neither of them will interact with the other.  Lol.

I love this photo of a very young Lobo with one of Rosie's frisbees.  It is as big as he is!  He was such a cutey!

Rosie With Some Water

Rosie is not afraid of a little old wave!  Charge forth!

Above:  Rosie charges forth to "Git the Wave!" This is at Reid State Park in Georgetown, Maine.  I photoshopped her leash out.  Dogs are not allowed on the beach but Rosie was on duty.  She has her little mesh vest on.  She's never seen such huge waves before!
Bottom:  Rosie retrieving at her swim hole at the Bangor Waterfront.  It was really hot that day.