Now that we’ve covered how to identify the most common ticks that you may find on your pet in Pets and Ticks | Part 1, let’s go a little deeper and look at the diseases that those ticks can carry that can be transmitted to your pets.
It’s important to note that while both cats and dogs are susceptible to ticks, they are more common in dogs due to their limited personal grooming techniques.
Diseases Transmitted by Ticks
According to veterinary experts at VCA Animal Hospitals, ticks are efficient carriers of disease. Ticks are parasites that thrive by latching onto and feeding on the blood of their host. These pests can remain attached for a significant time before being noticed because hosts often don’t feel the initial bite.
Ticks feed on humans and other mammals, including dogs. Unfortunately, this makes our dogs susceptible to tick-borne diseases, including:
Anaplasmosis
Source: Black-legged tick
Region: Northeastern US, upper midwestern US, Pacific coast
Signs:
Can be carried without clinical signs
Low blood platelets (causing bleeding disorders)
Fever
Lameness
Limping
Joint pain/swelling
Enlarged lymph nodes
Lethargy
Babesiosis
Source: Black-legged tick
Region: Northeast US and upper midwest US
Signs:
Hemolysis (breaking down of red blood cells)
Lethargy
Pale gums
Dark colored urine
Jaundice (skin or eyes become yellow or orange)
Ehrlichiosis (or Ehrlichia)
Source: American Dog tick, Brown Dog tick, and Lone Star tick
Region: South Central US and the eastern US
Signs: appear within three weeks after the bite
Fever
Poor appetite
Low blood platelets (nose bleeding, bruising, anemia)
Lyme Disease
Source: Black-legged tick or Deer tick
Region: Northeast US, upper Midwest US, west coast US, and east coast US
Signs: appear about two to five months after the bite (many dogs carry without symptoms)
Fever
Lameness
Limping
Joint pain/swelling
Enlarged lymph nodes
Lethargy
Lyme disease can become fatal if it progresses to kidney disease.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Source: American Dog tick
Region: North, South, and Central America
Signs: appear about two to five months after the bite (many dogs carry without symptoms)
Fever
Poor appetite
Swollen lymph nodes
Low platelets
Joint pain
Neurological signs (wobbliness)
Stay tuned for more in Pets and Ticks | Part 3 and 4!
Learn More About Pet Safety with Aloha Veterinary Acupuncture
While here at Aloha Veterinary Acupuncture, we specialize in acupuncture, our main priority is treating your pets with the aloha they deserve. That’s why we’re committed to helping you keep your pets safe through any means possible.
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