By now most people in the Capital District are familiar with Lyme disease. It deservedly gets a lot of media attention and at Bethlehem Veterinary Hospital, in Glenmont, the veterinarians diagnose many cases in their canine patients throughout the year. But Drs. Kearney and La Forte report that Lyme is not the only threat in our area. In fact, one tick can transmit multiple diseases with just one bite. In the past two years, they have started seeing two other tick borne diseases, Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis.
Anaplasmosis, or tick fever, is transmitted by the same ticks that carry Lyme disease.
Most pets will start showing signs within 14 days of infection. Some of the signs can be easily confused with Lyme disease. Dogs can present with a loss of appetite, a fever, lethargy (quieter than normal), with joint pain and stiffness. But as the disease progresses the owners may notice weight loss, bloody noses, bruises, vomiting and diarrhea. In rare cases seizures and other neurological disorders can occur.
Anaplasmosis has also been reported in cats who go outdoors, but is not as common as in dogs. Signs again can include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, weight loss, bruising, joint pain, difficulty breathing, vomiting and diarrhea.
Dr. La Forte reports that the first cases she saw 2 years ago all lived in a localized area near River Road in Glenmont. By the beginning of 2011, her cases were coming from Glenmont, Ravena and Selkirk. By September 2011, she was diagnosing cases from the hamlet of Delmar. Anaplasmosis is on the move. The majority of cases respond to Doxycycline, the same antibiotic that treats Lyme disease. But 2 of her patients have died from the disease.
Ehrlichiosis is another tick-borne disease now showing up in the Town of Bethlehem. Symptoms of Ehrlichiosis include lethargy, fever, coughing, bloody noses, bruising and joint pain. Both Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis affect the ability of the body to clot blood so the animals present with bleeding disorders.
Diagnostic tests may require a sample of blood and urine from the pet. But again, if diagnosed early enough, both diseases can be treated with antibiotics. Most pets show signs of improvement within a few days and make a complete recovery.
There are no vaccines for Anaplasmosis or Ehrlichiosis. Tick prevention is the key. Ticks thrive in damp, dense woods, so dogs should be walked on well-groomed trails and cats should be kept indoors. Lawns should be mowed regularly and leaf litter and brush piles removed.
Safe, reliable tick repellants play an important role in prevention.
But how do you choose? Ask your veterinarian.
“Our recommendations are tailored to the individual lifestyle of each pet,” said Dr. La Forte. “But knowing how fast the product kills the tick is extremely important. It can take 48 hours for the disease to transmit from the tick to the dog. We choose products that kill the tick within 2 – 8 hours, but are still safe for the pet. We also can recommend products to treat the lawn that are safe. Don’t forget, humans are just as susceptible to these tick-borne diseases as animals are. Our clients and patients are part of our family and we want to protect everyone.”
