For pet owners with active dogs and cats who love to spend time outside, there are few things more annoying and worrisome than ticks. These tiny external parasites are notorious for spreading a variety of diseases that can severely impact dogs and cats. Finding a tick on your pet can quickly put a damper on your outdoor activities and, potentially, create health problems for your furry friend.
Understanding how these diseases affect your pets and knowing how to prevent them is key to keeping your pets safe and healthy. In this blog, we'll dive into the most common tick-borne diseases, how they can impact your pets, and what steps you can take to protect them from these pesky parasites.
The Rising Threat of Tick-Borne Disease for Dogs & Cats
As climate change and shifting habitats create more favorable environments for ticks, we're seeing an alarming increase in tick populations across many areas.
Recent data has shown that the number of reported cases of tick-borne illnesses in humans has more than doubled in the United States over the past 20 years. With this enormous jump in human cases, it’s evident that pet owners need to be more vigilant than ever of these pesky parasites. As people and their pets continue to become more active together outdoors by taking up hobbies like hiking and camping, potential exposure to ticks in their natural habitats rises.
In Minnesota, we've observed a steady increase in tick exposure every year. Even pets that stay close to home are at risk, as ticks have become widespread and can be active year-round.
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How Tick-Borne Diseases Affect Pets
Tick-borne diseases can have a wide range of impacts on pets, affecting various organs and systems in the body. Some of these diseases can cause acute symptoms shortly after a tick bite, while others may remain dormant, with symptoms appearing months or even years later. The effects can range from mild discomfort to severe, life-threatening conditions.
However, it’s important that pet owners know that a tick bite or the presence of a tick on your pet does not always mean they’ve contracted a disease. Some tick bites may result in a rash, an allergic reaction, or other complications, such as anemia. In fact, research from Oklahoma State University found that a large percentage of ticks observed in a study did not carry any transmissible diseases at all.
But one thing is for certain: Your veterinarian will be your greatest ally in getting your pet the care it needs if there are any complications from a tick!
4 Common Tick-Borne Diseases That Affect Pets
While ticks can cause a number of adverse effects for our pets, there are four main tick-borne diseases that veterinarians see in Minnesota. These diseases can present in several different ways and have varying effects on pets, so it’s important for pet owners to familiarize themselves with their symptoms and how they are transmitted.
Anaplasmosis
Anaplasmosis is caused by the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum or Anaplasma platys, which are transmitted through the bite of an infected tick, commonly the black-legged tick (also known as the deer tick). This specific tick-borne disease can affect both dogs and cats, leading to symptoms such as fever, lethargy, joint pain, and sometimes gastrointestinal issues like vomiting or diarrhea. In severe cases, it can cause low platelet counts, leading to bleeding disorders. Early detection and treatment with antibiotics are crucial to managing anaplasmosis effectively.
Ehrlichia
Ehrlichiosis is another bacterial disease caused by Ehrlichia canis and other related species, primarily transmitted by the brown dog tick. This disease is particularly insidious because it often progresses through three stages: acute, subclinical, and chronic. During the acute stage, pets may experience fever, swollen lymph nodes, lethargy, and loss of appetite. In the subclinical stage, pets might appear normal but still harbor the bacteria, which can cause more severe issues later on. The chronic stage can result in severe weight loss, neurological problems, and blood disorders. Treatment typically involves antibiotics, but early intervention is key to preventing long-term complications.
Babesia
Babesia is a protozoal infection transmitted primarily by the brown dog tick. This disease infects red blood cells, leading to a condition known as hemolytic anemia. Symptoms of babesia can include pale gums, jaundice, dark-colored urine, fever, and lethargy. In severe cases, it can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Treatment often involves a combination of anti-protozoal drugs and supportive care, such as blood transfusions in severe cases. Babesia can be particularly challenging to clear completely, making prevention a critical focus.
Lyme Disease
Lastly, we have Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, and one of the most well-known tick-borne diseases. It is primarily transmitted by the black-legged tick (deer tick). Common symptoms in pets include lameness, swollen joints, fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy. In some cases, Lyme disease can lead to kidney damage, which can be fatal if not managed properly. A diagnosis is often made through blood tests, and treatment typically involves a prolonged course of antibiotics. Vaccination and regular use of tick preventatives are the most common strategies recommended by veterinarians for reducing the risk of Lyme disease in pets.
Signs & Symptoms of Tick-Borne Diseases in Pets
The signs of tick-borne diseases vary depending on the disease and the individual pet. Common symptoms to watch for include:
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Joint pain
- Changes in appetite
- Abnormal urination
- Abnormal drinking habits
Some pets may experience neurological signs, such as seizures or difficulty walking, depending on which disease they contract.
What makes tick-borne diseases particularly challenging is that symptoms can appear days, weeks, months or even years after exposure.
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Diagnosis and What to Expect at the Vet’s Office
Diagnosing tick-borne diseases in dogs typically starts with an annual heartworm and tick disease blood panel, which is recommended for every patient at their annual wellness exam. Additional lab tests can reveal changes in red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other indicators that may suggest a tick-borne illness.
If the blood work shows concerning results, additional diagnostic testing may be needed to confirm the diagnosis and help determine the best treatment plan for your pet.
Treatment & Prevention Options to Fight Against Tick-Borne Disease
Treating tick-borne diseases often involves a long course of antibiotics. Early detection and treatment are essential to prevent serious complications and to reduce the severity of symptoms.
However, prevention is always preferred over treatment. Fortunately, there are many effected flea and tick preventatives available today. Most tick preventatives are taken monthly and are highly effective at minimizing the risk of any tick-borne diseases for your pets. Studies have shown that pets not on tick preventatives are at a significantly higher risk of contracting tick-borne diseases.
In addition to these preventative options, we have a Lyme disease vaccine that we often recommend for our patients who are at particularly high risk of tick and Lyme disease exposure. Unfortunately, there are no vaccines available at this time for other commonly seen tick-borne diseases.
Whether you and your pet travel or are outdoors often, we would strongly recommend that all patients are on flea and tick preventatives all year round in order to limit any of these risks and fight against the development of tick-borne diseases.
If you have questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (218) 692-4400, or you can email us at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram.