Dog Health » Big Dog Blog

Tick diseases are often not the first thing that comes to your or your vet’s mind when your dog is sick.  But these diseases can be very damaging to your dog’s health and most can be fatal (with the exception being the crippling Lyme disease).  Not only is your dog susceptable to these diseases but most can be spread to humans. 

Babesiosis is most commonly found in kennel type evironments but can be found in single pet homes.  Not all dogs show symptoms but still are carriers of the disease.  The most common symptoms are:

• intermittent fever
• weakness
• jaundice
• more serious effects such as internal bleeding

In severe cases of Babesiosis, the dog will not survive even with the best care.  Those that survive can suffer from relapse as the disease can never be fully eradicated.

Ehrlichiosis is a bacteria that can be spread by ticks.  The symptoms can differ between dogs but the most common are:

• lethargy
• chronic weight loss
• loss of appetite. 

In more severe cases syptoms can include:

• arthritis
• bleeding from the nose
• muscle wasting
• neurological damage 

Ehrlichiosis can cause numerous relapses because treatment can’t eradicate all of the bug.  German Shepherds for some reason are more vulnerable to the disease.

As a person from Southeast Connecticut, Lyme Disease is a constant threat to both the health of dogs and humans.  This disease is caused by the Borrellia Burgdorferi bacteria and is spread mainly by Deer ticks.  These ticks are small and can go unoticed long enough for the bacteria to be passed.  The early symptoms are:

• limping 
• raised temperature 

Lyme disease attacks the joint and causes a lot of pain.  As the disease progresses the dog will go from a slight limp to being unable to use the leg.  The disease is easily detected through blood tests and early treatment can send the disease into remission before any long term damage is done. 

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is caused by an organism called Rickettsia Rickettsii.  Some dogs remain uneffected but can still act as carriers.  Common symptoms are:

• lethargy
• weight loss
• intermittant fever
• vomitting (possible)
• diarrhea (possible)

Antibiotics can treat Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and early detection increases the chance of a full recovery.The disease is easier to catch as the symptoms are presented within weeks of the tick bite whereas the others may take months.

Remember the best treatment is prevention.  Stay away from bushes and grassy areas.  Check yourself and your pets for ticks regularly during tick season.  And use preventative medications such Frontline, Advantix and other products.

 Information for the article was found at http://www.ask-the-vet.com/ticks-tick-diseases.htm  and for more detailed infomation a good site to go to is http://www.mirage-samoyeds.com/tick.htm and the links on that page.  There is also more information on ticks in the Big Paws Only Pawpedia. 

In keeping with the spirit of the many dog controversies lately, I bring a new topic to discuss regarding the health and welfare of our beloved canines. This new topic can be viewed as either progressive or very dictatorial depending on your views for preserving the purebred dog.

In India, the Animal Welfare Board has introduced new legislation, which is unheard of anywhere. This new set of rules, if passed, would be the first of its kind to give dogs the utmost protection and maintain a close eye on the dog owners to make sure they abide by the said rules. Think this sounds good right? Well, here are the rules they want to instate to keep the dog breeds pure:

1. A family tree, 4 generation long, to ensure the longevity of your dog’s lineage
2. Controlling the temperature in the home (60-85 degrees F)
3. Deciding what type of flooring your home must have
4. Deciding who, when and how often your pet may be social
5. The number of animals per family
6. Homes must be spacious for the dog
7. Homes must have smoke and heat detectors
8. Home shall remain flea and tick free
9. No tethering inside or outside under any circumstances

If you can abide by these rules than you shall live happily ever after. However, for those who can’t obey, the punishment can be a fine or imprisonment. As for the “mutt” dogs hanging around, it is the desire of this country to prevent “mongrels” in the future.