Paw Prints
After this long and snowy winter, everyone is delighted that spring is here. Outdoor play and romps with the pooch are fun. But in Greater Newburyport, spring time also means tick time.
There's not much to like about ticks. They are little crawling bugs whose mission in life is to suck blood and reproduce. An adult female can ingest up to 100 times her weight in blood. They are disgusting to find on ourselves and our pets. And they can spread disease.
Different species of ticks spread different diseases. The deer tick, Ixodes, is a common pest in our neighborhood. It is responsible for transmitting Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and human babesiosis. Everyone in Greater Newburyport should be aware of this, whether or not they go outside with a pet. Other ticks in our area include the American dog tick, Dermacentor, which can spread Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and tularemia, and the lone star tick, Amyblyomma, which is responsible for human monocytic ehrlichiosis.
Many people in this area are familiar with Lyme disease. The sudden onset of fever, muscle aches and joint pain can affect dogs and their owners. (Although cats can be infected, they do not appear to become clinically ill.) In fact, Lyme disease is so common here that many local veterinarians screen their canine patients annually for this disease.
Anaplasmosis is another infectious tick disease and its incidence is on the rise. Because it is carried by the same tick that spreads Lyme disease, it is a concern wherever deer ticks are present and Lyme disease is a risk. In my practice, we see Anaplasma-positive dogs every week.
Anaplasma infects several animal species and is the causative agent in human granulocytic anaplasmosis, formerly human granulocytic ehrlichiosis. Dogs are more susceptible to the disease than cats. The clinical signs of canine anaplasmosis often resemble Lyme disease. Symptoms are typically fevers, poor appetites, lethargy, and sore muscles and joints. A simple in-clinic blood test can identify whether the dog has anaplasmosis or Lyme disease, or both.
Co-infection with both Anaplasma and Lyme disease warrants extra attention. Many dogs infected with a single tick disease will remain healthy. However, co-infection exponentially increases their risk for developing clinical signs. The reason for this phenomenon is not completely understood. These patients require additional monitoring by their veterinarian.
In addition to Lyme disease-like symptoms, Anaplasma can affect the blood cells. Particularly alarming is when it causes a drop in cells that aid in blood clotting, called platelets. If this drop is severe, spontaneous hemorrhage such as nosebleeds or internal bleeding can occur. This can rapidly become a medical emergency.
Once diagnosed, anaplasmosis is easily treated with antibiotics. Despite treatment, though, the germ is often not cleared from the body, and recurrence is possible. Also, natural immunity does not occur, and dogs can be re-infected. The same holds true for Lyme disease.
Year-round vigilance against ticks is important. A single deer tick survives two winters to complete its life cycle. During the coldest days, it hunkers under mulch for protection. But on mild days, the hungry tick will eagerly come in search of a blood meal. Deer ticks are especially active in spring and fall. A single tick bite can spread multiple diseases to animals or humans. In addition to Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, both of which can infect pets and people, the deer tick can also transmit human babesiosis.
Dogs are good indicators for prevalence of tick disease in an area. They are more frequently exposed because they readily enter tick habitats, such as by running through trees or sticking their heads into brush. You can be sure, though, that if your dog is being exposed to deer ticks and the diseases they carry, then you are too.
So what can you do?
Use anti-tick products: For pets, there are several effective products available. Your veterinarian can help you select one that best suits your pet's lifestyle. It should be used year-round. People can consider a tick repellent for themselves, such as DEET found in many insect repellents.
Vaccination: Lyme vaccines are available for dogs. They are safe and effective. Remember, though, that your dog would still be susceptible to other tick diseases, so continue other forms of tick control.
Environment: Keep your grass cut short and avoid tick-infested areas if possible.
Tick checks: Perform daily tick checks on your pets, your children and yourself. Immature ticks called nymphs may be difficult to find because they are only the size of a poppy seed. Tick combs are available for pets and may be helpful.
Ticks share our neighborhood, whether or not we like it. Increased awareness helps to minimize the risks associated with them.
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Dr. Heidi Bassler is medical director of the Veterinary Center of Greater Newburyport (www.vetcgn.com). Do you have questions for Dr. Bassler? Send them to ndn@newburyportnews.com.
