Tick season is officially in full swing! This year, we’re already seeing increased numbers of dogs with risky tick exposures. Protect your favorite adventure buddy this summer by learning more about how to prevent and recognize tick-borne diseases in dogs. Risk Of Ticks in Oregon Ticks are cold-blooded parasites that can’t maintain a constant body temperature. As a result, they thrive in warm, humid environments. In the past, cold Oregon winters limited tick activity for at least part of the year. However, we’ve seen a surge in year-round tick activity with longer, hotter summers and milder winters. According to Oregon State University, Oregon is home to over 20 species of ticks. Luckily, only a few of these species feed on people and pets. Ticks to have on your radar are:
Unlike other biting parasites, ticks don’t fly or jump. Instead, they use a behavior called “questing” to locate a host. When a tick is ready to feed, it crawls to the tips of grass or vegetation and extends its front legs. When a host brushes against its hiding spot, the tick hurriedly grabs onto the host with its extended legs. Once they’ve landed on a host, ticks burrow down through the fur to a preferred attachment site. This tends to be somewhere with thinner skin where the host is less likely to notice them. For dogs, that could be under the armpits, in the groin area, or around the ears. Instead of biting and leaving, ticks latch onto their host and feed for three to six days. This is called “taking a blood meal.” Once the tick has taken a full blood meal, it will fall off. Rarely, ticks may stay latched for longer periods, sometimes up to two weeks. Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs Tick-borne diseases spread to dogs when an infected tick bites them. Conditions resulting from a tick bite can be serious and even fatal, often causing long-term damage and consequences. The most common tick-borne diseases contracted by dogs in Oregon include: Lyme Disease Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi. It’s transmitted by the western black-legged tick, AKA deer ticks. Diagnosing Lyme disease can prove tricky since clinical signs can occur 2-5 months (or even longer!) after the initial tick bite. The most common symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs are:
Anaplasmosis Anaplasmosis, transmitted by the western black-legged tick, is also known as “dog tick fever.” Diagnosis can be difficult because infected dogs often present with vague symptoms. These might include:
In severe cases, it can lead to bleeding disorders or seizures. Canine Ehrlichiosis This tick-borne disease is found around the world. It’s most commonly transmitted by the brown dog tick, lone star tick, and American dog tick. Canine ehrlichiosis is caused by Ehrlichia canis, a bacteria that infects and lives within the host’s white blood cells. Symptoms include:
Chronic untreated ehrlichiosis can lead to severe complications, including bone marrow suppression. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) Carried by the mountain wood tick and American dog tick, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria. RMSF is widespread throughout the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, and the eastern United States, as well as in parts of Canada. Dogs that run, play, and hike in wooded areas are most likely to be exposed to ticks infected with RMSF. Symptoms include:
It can also cause vascular damage leading to bleeding and organ failure in severe cases. Prompt treatment is essential to prevent these serious complications. Babesiosis Primarily spread by the brown dog tick, babesiosis invades the host’s red blood cells. Most cases occur in the southern United States. Still, incidents have been steadily increasing in other areas of the US and Canada. Symptoms include:
Severe cases can lead to organ failure due to the destruction of red blood cells. Some dogs may need supportive care like blood transfusions. Preventing Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs Most tick-borne diseases can be treated with antibiotics and supportive care if caught early. That’s why we recommend checking for ticks after each walk, hike, or camping trip. A tick check includes running your fingers over your dog’s entire body, going against the coat. Pay special attention to hard-to-reach spots like under the collar and chin, between the toes, inside the ears, under the armpits, and the insides of the thighs. During the check, you’re feeling for small bumps, swollen areas, and black, brown, or grayish-brown bugs. Don’t forget to check yourself! Many ticks will also feed from (and might infect) human hosts. How to Remove a Tick Removing ticks quickly is important, but it also needs to be done right. The faster the tick is removed or killed, the less likely diseases will be transmitted. When you remove a tick, never squeeze the body or remove in such a way that the head remains attached. Instead, take a clean pair of tweezers or a tick remover as close to the skin as possible without pinching. If you’re using tweezers, pull out in a straight and steady motion without jerking. If you’re worried about removing ticks yourself, we can help! The team at Mountainside Veterinary Hospital has already been hard at work this season safely and effectively removing ticks from our canine patients. After removal, take a clear picture or keep the tick’s body in isopropyl alcohol. If your dog starts showing signs of tick-borne illness, your veterinarian may want to identify or test it. An Ounce of Prevention Don’t let the threat of tick-borne diseases keep you and your adventure buddy inside this summer! When it comes to ticks, an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure. Whether you prefer a monthly chewable or easy-to-apply topical solution, just one dose a month can prevent these life-threatening diseases. Need help deciding which tick preventative is right for your pup? Our veterinary team can help match your pet’s breed, age, and lifestyle with the right product. Just give us a call or ask about tick preventatives during your next appointment! When it comes to your pet’s health, the team at Mountainside Veterinary Hospital uses every tool we’ve got at our disposal. For pets with certain disease risks and chronic conditions, this might include recommending a prescription pet food, or therapeutic diet. Learn more about how prescription pet food can reduce the symptoms of some diseases, slow disease progression, and reduce the risk of future complications!
Importance Of Proper Pet Nutrition Grain-free, raw, freeze-dried, home cooked… these days, there are more ways to feed your pet than ever before. Unfortunately, not all pet food trends are rooted in sound nutrition science. Just like humans, our companion animals need a certain combination of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water every day in order to function normally. And while humans, dogs, and cats are all mammals, each species has its own unique nutrition needs. Even more confusing, these nutrition needs change throughout their life based on genetics, lifestyle, and age! High quality pet foods are specifically formulated to keep your pet’s metabolism and immune system functioning normally at every stage of life. They provide essential macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals to support whole-body health. What Is A Prescription Pet Food? You’ve probably seen bags or cans of prescription pet food at your veterinarian’s office or online pharmacy! These foods typically have descriptive names that describe what they treat (e.g., Digestive Care, Urinary Health, Dental Care). Prescription pet foods, also called therapeutic diets or veterinary diets, are made with special ingredients and supplements to support pets with particular diseases or illnesses. These foods can be a powerful healthcare tool. However, just like many medications, they require a prescription to ensure they’re being used correctly. Diet plays an important part in treating or managing many chronic health conditions. By using a combination of therapies—medication, diet, and other interventions—we can provide more comprehensive support than with a single treatment modality. How Can Prescription Pet Food Help? Prescription pet food takes the idea of “food as medicine” to an extreme, because in this case the food actually is medicine! But what specific benefits can prescription foods offer that other high quality diets don’t? Reduce the Symptoms of Disease Therapeutic diets can help combat issues relating to coat health, dental health, diabetes, digestive health, joint health, GI sensitivities, urinary tract health, weight management, and many more. For example, your veterinarian may recommend a prescription diet if your cat has chronic or recurrent bladder stones. A therapeutic diet like Hill’s C/D is clinically proven to dissolve potentially painful struvite stones in as few as seven days. For pets with food sensitivities or digestive problems, the right prescription diet can reduce symptoms such as diarrhea, gas, bloating, and vomiting. Another example:prescription dog food for a dog with arthritis will contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants to reduce inflammation, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate to protect joint cartilage, and added L-carnitine to keep muscles strong. This combination reduces symptoms of pain and stiffness while protecting joints from further damage. Slow Disease Progression Some prescription diets go beyond just relieving symptoms. They can actually support your pet’s overall wellness and slow disease progression. For example, prescription dog foods can be an important part of therapy for dogs with kidney disease. There’s a close link between protein intake, blood phosphorus levels, and kidney health. Dogs with kidney disease gradually lose the ability to excrete phosphorus in their urine, so it backs up in the bloodstream. Reducing phosphorus intake has been shown to slow the progression of kidney disease in dogs and increase their lifespan. Prescription kidney diets usually contain a moderate amount of high-quality protein and are low in phosphorus and sodium, which reduces the workload on the kidneys. They also include Omega-3 fatty acids, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to promote kidney function and overall health and wellness. This is just one example of how prescription pet food supports both overall health and can help slow the progression of specific health conditions. Lower the Risk of Future Complications Prescription pet foods are carefully formulated to not only manage the symptoms of chronic diseases, but also to prevent future complications. For example, a therapeutic diet prescribed for diabetes will have precise levels of carbohydrates and fiber to minimize blood glucose spikes and promote steady energy release. By helping to manage diabetes effectively, prescription diets can reduce the risk of further complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis, nerve damage, and vision problems. Similarly, urinary health diets are proven to lower the recurrence of most common urinary signs by 89% and promote desirable urine pH levels. Talk To Your Vet About Prescription Pet Food! While prescription diets are widely available online, keep in mind you’ll need a prescription from a vet to buy them. This helps keep pets safe and ensures they’re on the correct therapeutic formula for any specific health conditions. If you have questions about the benefits of prescription pet food, get in touch! Our veterinary team is happy to answer questions and make recommendations for all of our patients. |