My last three entries have been related to zoonotic disease. In this entry, I want to discuss Lyme disease, the last of the four major diseases that can be spread from animal to man with the tick as the vector.
Lyme disease, also known as borreliosis, is transmitted to animals by the common deer tick on the east coast of the United States, and by a closely related tick on the west coast. Ticks become infected by feeding on an animal already infected with the disease causing organism (Borrelia) and when these ticks become attached to a non-infected pet and feed, the disease is passed into that animal. Humans cannot get Lyme disease directly from their pet. However, if the pet develops the disease a tick can feed on and then pass the disease from the pet to the human if the human gets a tick bite.
Symptoms that can occur in dogs that may be indicative of Lyme disease include: fever, lameness, swelling in the joints, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Unlike in humans, the appearance of a rash or circular ring of redness around the tick bite does not occur in dogs. It should be said that it can take from 2 to 5 months from the time a pet is bitten by an infected tick for symptoms of Lyme disease to show. In untreated pets, or pets who did not respond well to treatment, symptoms of arthritis can occur, and in rare instances, kidney disease and/or failure can occur. Blood tests are available to aid in the diagnosis of Lyme disease but the presence of clinical signs and a rapid response to antibiotic therapy is usually diagnostic of Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is treated most often with the antibiotics doxycycline or amoxicillin. These medications are usually given for at least 14 days, but 30 days is the recommended treatment duration and in some instances a longer duration may be needed. Pets that do not respond to antibiotic therapy within 48 hours should be brought back to the veterinarian for further diagnosis, since response to antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease is rapid.
Using a product such as K9-Advantix or Frontline Plus will help kill ticks, and even if the tick should attach to the pet, the tick will die within approximately 12 hours. In order for a tick to pass on Lyme disease, it must be attached to the pet for at least 48 hours. These products should be applied once a month. There are also vaccines available for preventing Lyme disease. However, veterinarians are divided as to whether these vaccines are or are not effective. If you live in a heavily tick infested area you can discuss this option with your veterinarian.
For the health of your pet, the pharmacy staff at 1-800-PetMeds recommends apply a flea and tick preventative once a month. Because ticks can survive indoors even in the winter, these products should be used year round.
For further information of tick borne disease visit the Tick FAQs site on PetHealth101
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
Tick Borne Diseases (3)
Over the last few days, I've been discussing four major zoonotic diseases that can be spread from animal to man with the tick as a vector. I've already discussed ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. In this entry I want to discuss Tularemia, and I'll finish up next week with a discussion on Lyme disease.
Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever is a disease that while rare, is found throughout the northern hemisphere. The disease is transmitted typically from animal to animal by the Lone Star tick as well as the ticks that can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Ticks become infected by feeding on an animal already infected with the disease causing organism (Francisella) and when these ticks become attached to a non-infected animal and feed, the disease is passed into that animal. Humans cannot get Tularemia directly from their pet. However, if the pet develops the disease a tick can feed on and then pass the disease from the pet to the human if the human gets a tick bite. Tularemia is also transmitted by fleas and dogs and cats can become infected by eating rabbits or rodents already infected.
Symptoms that can occur that may be indicative of Tularemia in dogs include: loss of appetite, listlessness and low grade fever. In cats symptoms may include: high fever and swollen lymph nodes. If Tularemia is suspected, the pet should be examined by a veterinarian. A blood test to measure antibody levels can be performed. The disease can also be diagnosed by culturing the bacterium from tissue from the animal. In humans a lesion at the site of the tick bite usually develops followed by enlarged lymph nodes. Humans can also get the disease from eating contaminated, undercooked rabbit and symptoms can include intestinal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Tularemia is treated with antibiotics. In pets, enrofloxacin (Baytril) or ciprofloxacin (Cipro) can be used. For humans, the antibiotics gentamicin and streptomycin are used.
Because this disease is spread to animals by ticks and fleas, the 1-800-PetMeds pharmacy staff recommends applying a monthly flea and tick preventative on your pet. These products should be used year round because fleas and ticks can survive indoors even in the winter.
For further information on tick borne disease visit the Tick FAQ's site on PetHealth101. You can also visit the fleas FAQ's site as well.
Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever is a disease that while rare, is found throughout the northern hemisphere. The disease is transmitted typically from animal to animal by the Lone Star tick as well as the ticks that can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Ticks become infected by feeding on an animal already infected with the disease causing organism (Francisella) and when these ticks become attached to a non-infected animal and feed, the disease is passed into that animal. Humans cannot get Tularemia directly from their pet. However, if the pet develops the disease a tick can feed on and then pass the disease from the pet to the human if the human gets a tick bite. Tularemia is also transmitted by fleas and dogs and cats can become infected by eating rabbits or rodents already infected.
Symptoms that can occur that may be indicative of Tularemia in dogs include: loss of appetite, listlessness and low grade fever. In cats symptoms may include: high fever and swollen lymph nodes. If Tularemia is suspected, the pet should be examined by a veterinarian. A blood test to measure antibody levels can be performed. The disease can also be diagnosed by culturing the bacterium from tissue from the animal. In humans a lesion at the site of the tick bite usually develops followed by enlarged lymph nodes. Humans can also get the disease from eating contaminated, undercooked rabbit and symptoms can include intestinal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Tularemia is treated with antibiotics. In pets, enrofloxacin (Baytril) or ciprofloxacin (Cipro) can be used. For humans, the antibiotics gentamicin and streptomycin are used.
Because this disease is spread to animals by ticks and fleas, the 1-800-PetMeds pharmacy staff recommends applying a monthly flea and tick preventative on your pet. These products should be used year round because fleas and ticks can survive indoors even in the winter.
For further information on tick borne disease visit the Tick FAQ's site on PetHealth101. You can also visit the fleas FAQ's site as well.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Tick Borne Diseases (2)
In my previous entry, I mentioned four major zoonotic diseases that can be spread from animal to man with the tick as the vector. These diseases are: ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tularemia and Lyme disease. In this entry I want to discuss Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is transmitted to animals by the American dog tick and the Rocky Mountain spotted fever tick. These ticks are most prevalent in the east coast, midwest and plains regions. Ticks become infected by feeding on an animal already infected with the disease causing organism (Rickettsia) and when these ticks become attached to a non-infected pet and feed, the disease is passed into that animal. Humans cannot get Rocky Mountain spotted fever directly from their pet. However, if the pet develops the disease a tick can feed on and then pass the disease from the pet to the human if the human gets a tick bite.
Symptoms that can occur that may be indicative of Rocky Mountain spotted fever include: loss of appetite, fever, depression, pain in muscles and joints, swollen lymph nodes, and edema of the face and legs. Some animals will have vomiting and diarrhea. Some animals will have dizziness, seizures and depression. If Rocky Mountain spotted fever is suspected, the pet should be examined by a veterinarian. Blood tests can be used to measure antibody levels and are usually given twice, two weeks apart to measure any increase. In addition, a skin test to measure antigens can be performed as well. Symptoms that can occur in huymans include: rash, fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, nausea, abdominal pain and swollen lymph nodes.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is treated using antibiotics such as tetracycline, doxycycline and enrofloxacin (Baytril).
Tick season usually extends from April to September and that is the period of time where the incidence of Rocky Mountain spotted fever is highest. For the health of your pet, the pharmacy staff at 1-800-PetMeds recommends applying a monthly flea and tick preventative. However, since ticks can survive indoors, even in the winter, it is also recommended that these products are used year round.
For further information on tick borne disease visit the Tick FAQ's site on PetHealth101.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is transmitted to animals by the American dog tick and the Rocky Mountain spotted fever tick. These ticks are most prevalent in the east coast, midwest and plains regions. Ticks become infected by feeding on an animal already infected with the disease causing organism (Rickettsia) and when these ticks become attached to a non-infected pet and feed, the disease is passed into that animal. Humans cannot get Rocky Mountain spotted fever directly from their pet. However, if the pet develops the disease a tick can feed on and then pass the disease from the pet to the human if the human gets a tick bite.
Symptoms that can occur that may be indicative of Rocky Mountain spotted fever include: loss of appetite, fever, depression, pain in muscles and joints, swollen lymph nodes, and edema of the face and legs. Some animals will have vomiting and diarrhea. Some animals will have dizziness, seizures and depression. If Rocky Mountain spotted fever is suspected, the pet should be examined by a veterinarian. Blood tests can be used to measure antibody levels and are usually given twice, two weeks apart to measure any increase. In addition, a skin test to measure antigens can be performed as well. Symptoms that can occur in huymans include: rash, fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, nausea, abdominal pain and swollen lymph nodes.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is treated using antibiotics such as tetracycline, doxycycline and enrofloxacin (Baytril).
Tick season usually extends from April to September and that is the period of time where the incidence of Rocky Mountain spotted fever is highest. For the health of your pet, the pharmacy staff at 1-800-PetMeds recommends applying a monthly flea and tick preventative. However, since ticks can survive indoors, even in the winter, it is also recommended that these products are used year round.
For further information on tick borne disease visit the Tick FAQ's site on PetHealth101.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Tick Borne Diseases
Visiting my brother in Kansas this weekend I noticed an article in the local section of The Kansas City Star regarding the rise of tick borne diseases in Missouri. While the article was meant to inform the local population, disease spread by ticks is an important subject for pet owners regardless of where they live, especially in the warm, summer months.
Zoonosis is a term for disease that can be spread from animals to humans and the tick borne illnesses I'm going to mention are zoonotic diseases. In the case of tick borne diseases, ticks are the vector by which these diseases can get transmitted from animals to humans. Four major diseases that can be transmitted by ticks include: ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia and Lyme disease. I'm going to discuss these diseases one at a time, beginning with ehrlichiosis.
Ehrlichiosis, now also sometimes referred to as anaplasmosis, is a disease transmitted by the Brown Dog tick and the Lone Star tick and can occur anywhere in the United States that these ticks are found. Ticks become infected by feeding on an animal already infected with Ehrlicia and when these infected ticks become attached to a non-infected pet and feed, Ehrlichia is passed into that animal. Humans cannot get ehrlichiosis directly from their pet . However, if the pet develops ehrlichiosis a tick can feed on and then pass, in some instances, the disease from the pet to the human if the human gets a tick bite.
Symptoms to look for that could possibly indicate ehrlichiosis in a dog include: Anemia, fever, depession, lethargy, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, joint pain amd bruising. If ehrlichiosis is suspected you should have your pet examined by a veterinrian who can run tests to determine the presence of the Ehrlichia organism itself or the presence of antibodies to Ehrlichia. Symptoms in humans may include: fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain, cough, and diarrhea
Ehrlichiosis is treated most often with the antibiotics tetracycline or doxycycline.
For the health of your pet, the 1-800-PetMeds pharmacy staff recommends applying a monthly flea and tick preventative. It is also recommended that you use these products year round because ticks can survive indoors even in the winter.
For further information on tick borne disease visit the Tick FAQs site on PetHealth101.
Zoonosis is a term for disease that can be spread from animals to humans and the tick borne illnesses I'm going to mention are zoonotic diseases. In the case of tick borne diseases, ticks are the vector by which these diseases can get transmitted from animals to humans. Four major diseases that can be transmitted by ticks include: ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia and Lyme disease. I'm going to discuss these diseases one at a time, beginning with ehrlichiosis.
Ehrlichiosis, now also sometimes referred to as anaplasmosis, is a disease transmitted by the Brown Dog tick and the Lone Star tick and can occur anywhere in the United States that these ticks are found. Ticks become infected by feeding on an animal already infected with Ehrlicia and when these infected ticks become attached to a non-infected pet and feed, Ehrlichia is passed into that animal. Humans cannot get ehrlichiosis directly from their pet . However, if the pet develops ehrlichiosis a tick can feed on and then pass, in some instances, the disease from the pet to the human if the human gets a tick bite.
Symptoms to look for that could possibly indicate ehrlichiosis in a dog include: Anemia, fever, depession, lethargy, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, joint pain amd bruising. If ehrlichiosis is suspected you should have your pet examined by a veterinrian who can run tests to determine the presence of the Ehrlichia organism itself or the presence of antibodies to Ehrlichia. Symptoms in humans may include: fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain, cough, and diarrhea
Ehrlichiosis is treated most often with the antibiotics tetracycline or doxycycline.
For the health of your pet, the 1-800-PetMeds pharmacy staff recommends applying a monthly flea and tick preventative. It is also recommended that you use these products year round because ticks can survive indoors even in the winter.
For further information on tick borne disease visit the Tick FAQs site on PetHealth101.
Monday, August 6, 2007
My Pet Was Sprayed by a Skunk
One of my pharmacists, Harvi, received a phone call from a pet owner in Oregon. It appears that her dog, Rusty, was sprayed by a skunk and none of the methods she tried to rid the pet of skunk smell worked.
Harvi did some research and found a formula that she believed would work.
It did!!
Every day the pharmacists on staff at 1-800-PetMeds answer questions our clients have. Some questions are routine, others, such as Harvi's are more complex. I am proud of the efforts of each and every one of my pharmacists.
Here's the formula Harvi found that proved effective in removing skunk odor from the pet:
Into 1 quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (the first aid strength, NOT the hair product) add and mix in:
1/4 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon hand detergent (dish soap)
Apply the solution to the pets fur and leave on for 5 minutes (do not get in pet's eyes, ears or mouth). Rinse thoroughly with plain water. It may be necessary to repeat this treatment one time.
It is possible for this solution to temporarily discolor black fur.
Harvi did some research and found a formula that she believed would work.
It did!!
Every day the pharmacists on staff at 1-800-PetMeds answer questions our clients have. Some questions are routine, others, such as Harvi's are more complex. I am proud of the efforts of each and every one of my pharmacists.
Here's the formula Harvi found that proved effective in removing skunk odor from the pet:
Into 1 quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (the first aid strength, NOT the hair product) add and mix in:
1/4 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon hand detergent (dish soap)
Apply the solution to the pets fur and leave on for 5 minutes (do not get in pet's eyes, ears or mouth). Rinse thoroughly with plain water. It may be necessary to repeat this treatment one time.
It is possible for this solution to temporarily discolor black fur.
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