Castine Patriot
May 18, 2006

Dogs Have More Reason Than Ever To Be Ticked Off

Westbrook, Maine

When people think of ticks lurking in the woods, their backyard or a park, they often consider the dreaded Lyme disease they carry. However, according to a press release, new research is discovering many of these eight-legged creatures carry multiple diseases that can be contracted by people—and even more so by their four-legged friends.

Dr. Matt Eberts practices veterinary medicine in the tick-endemic area of Brainerd, Minnesota, and researches canine tick-borne disease. An alarming 40 percent of the dogs Eberts examines tests positive for Lyme disease. Since its discovery in Lyme, Connecticut, in the 1970s, the disease has crawled from the Northeast across the country and has been found in dogs in all 50 U.S. states.

Perhaps more troublesome than the extremely high incidence of Lyme disease that Eberts sees, is that 50 percent of dogs entering his clinic show signs of canine anaplasmosis—another disease transmitted by the same tick species that transmits Lyme disease. "While Lyme disease continues to be a concern, the growing number of dogs entering my clinic with multiple tick-borne infections adds a new wrinkle to the situation," says Eberts. "There's really no way for pet owners to know what's wrong with their dogs without getting their dogs checked regularly."

Organizations such as the National Lyme Disease Association have been trying to inform people about the potential dangers of ticks for years, and hope what is learned in the veterinary community opens some eyes. "Lyme disease is a huge concern, but we want people to know there are several other tick-borne diseases out there that can be just as harmful," said Pat Smith president of LDA.

Smith believes dogs can serve as sentinels for people. "Dogs are many times more likely to come in contact with ticks than their owners. What we learn form our canine friends can tell us a great deal about where human outbreaks will occur in the future. By monitoring our pets, we can better protect our children in the process.

Diseases spreading or better testing

Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are increasing in numbers and in range, but increased usage of advanced testing devices has most likely contributed to disease awareness and more speedy diagnosis, which improves the chances for full recovery. IDEXX Laboratories, an animal diagnostic company based in Westbrook, Maine, saw double-digit usage growth of a device that tests for both Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis, yet another disease transmitted by ticks. According to Eberts, "I think we've seen a combination of disease growth and better testing capability. As technology advancements continue, I'm sure we'll see even more examples of ticks carrying Lyme disease, as well as other tick-borne diseases."

Diseases' symptoms mimic one another

According to Dr. Stephen Levy, a Durham, Connecticut, veterinarian who has been on the forefront of tick-borne disease research for the past two decades, most tick-borne diseases have one thing in common—they are difficult to diagnose based on symptoms alone. Many dogs exhibit no outward evidence of Lyme disease infection or the lesser-known tick-borne diseases.

"With the range of symptoms brought on by tick-borne infections, I encourage pet owners to make testing a standard part of their dogs' veterinary exams," says Levy. An in-clinic testing device is available so dog owners can learn if their pets have contracted a tick-borne disease prior to leaving the clinic. The test also screens for heartworm, a disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Levy emphasizes the importance of regular screening to detect infections as early as possible. The following examples are some of the most common tick-borne diseases that infect dogs.

• Lyme disease—Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by the deer tick. The most common signs of infection are recurrent arthritis and lameness that lasts for three to four days, sometimes accompanied by loss of appetite and depression. In many dogs, the signs are not apparent or may not appear for several months after infection.

• Canine ehrlichiosis—Caused by Ehrlichias canis, it is commonly transmitted by the brown dog tick and can be found throughout the U.S. Ehrlichiosis has three phases of symptoms—acute, subclinical and chronic. Acute phase symptoms include fever, discharge from eyes and nose, lack of appetite, depression, and swollen lymph glands. The subclinical phase can last for years, and dogs may never show any obvious symptoms. The chronic phase can be either mild or severe.

• Canine anaplasmosis—Sometimes referred to as dog tick fever, it is caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This disease is transmitted by the deer tick, the same tick that transmits Lyme. Anaplasmosis symptoms are often arthritis-like with multiple painful joints. Some A. phagocytophilum-positive dogs run a high fever, accompanied by lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea. Neurological symptoms can also present themselves, resulting in seizures and neck pain.

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever—Caused by the organism Rickettsia rickettsii, and transmitted from the American dog tick or the wood tick. Despite its name, RMSF is prevalent throughout most of the United States. In most cases, the disease lasts about two weeks, but in severe cases can end in death. Symptoms include joint swelling and pain, as well as neurological abnormalities. Ocular lesions are also associated with RMSF and result from vasculitis and hemorrhage.

About the Lyme Disease Association

The Lyme Disease Association is a national nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to finding solutions for tick-borne diseases. To learn more about Lyme disease in people and about the Lyme Disease Association, visit www.LymeDiseaseAssociation.org.

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