tick diseases

[CarraghsGem 92]

ok, keeping it simple, one of my young dogs got a load of ticks on her a couple of weeks back, i removed most of them and still find the odd one in a hidden spot shes very quiet + depressed acting last couple of days.... i now have her in the house and im very concerned, shes refuseing food now as well, im off to the vet soon for blood tests, her nose is warm and dry, i'll take her temperature shortly.

 

 

any tick bourne diseases that could be the cause?

[Malt 379]

Lyme disease is the worst one I think, mostly carried by the deer tick. They can all carry nasty stuff though..

 

http://en.wikipedia....ki/Lyme_disease

 

http://en.wikipedia....k-borne_disease

[SNAP SHOT 194]

Not too many diseases to worry about in britian... but the list is larger once you go into areas of America, and asia,

 

heres the general list for your concern...

 

Three of the diseases that can be caught from a tick bite in Britain are, Lyme borreliosis, Babesiosis and Ehrlichiosis. Globally, the list of diseases is much longer.

 

Lyme disease or Lyme borreliosis [bore-EL-ee-OH-sis] is caused by bacteria called Borrelia. Early symptoms can develop within weeks. They may include tiredness, chills, fever, headache, muscle and/or joint pain, swollen lymph glands and blurred vision. A characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans may appear. It is generally a circular rash that may clear in the centre, resulting in a "Bull's eye" appearance. It can expand and move around the body.

 

If early symptoms are not recognised, serious complications can develop weeks, months, or even years later. Later stage symptoms include arthritis in the large joints, which can recur over many years. Nervous system problems are common, e.g. numbness, meningitis (with fever, stiff neck and severe headache), Bell's palsy (paralysis of the facial muscles) and memory problems. Some people experience irregularities of the heart rhythm.

 

Lyme disease should be diagnosed by a physical examination and medical history. This clinical diagnosis may in some cases be supported by laboratory testing. Diagnosis based on tests alone is not reliable a negative result does not mean that the disease is not present. Symptoms can mimic those of other diseases. Diagnosis is easiest when there is a skin rash but this occurs in under 50% of patients.

 

Babesiosis [bab-EE-see-OH-sis] is caused by the Babesia parasite, an organism similar to that causing malaria. This attacks the red blood cells and its existence can only be shown by laboratory identification of the parasite. Symptoms, if any, begin with tiredness, loss of appetite and a general ill feeling. In severe cases, as the infection progresses, fever, drenching sweats, muscle aches and headache can follow, leading to complications such as very low blood pressure, liver problems, severe haemolytic anaemia (a breakdown of red blood cells) and kidney failure. Other cases usually have a milder illness and often get better on their own. The symptoms can take from 1 to 12 months after the tick bite to appear and can last from several days to several months.

 

Ehrlichiosis [air-LICK-ee-OH-sis] is a bacterial attack upon the white blood cells. Symptoms usually appear 3 to 16 days after a tick bite. The most common symptoms are sudden high fever, tiredness, major muscle aches, severe headache, and, in some cases, a rash. Diagnosis is difficult, even in severe cases. Diagnostic tests are not widely available and the diagnosis of Ehrlichiosis is usually based on symptoms and a history of exposure to ticks. Severely ill patients can develop abnormally low numbers of white blood cells or platelets and kidney failure.

 

 

IF your concerned about the welfare fo the dog, take to a vet and get them to admin betacol, or tactic

 

Snap.

[Kay 3,709]

ok, keeping it simple, one of my young dogs got a load of ticks on her a couple of weeks back, i removed most of them and still find the odd one in a hidden spot shes very quiet + depressed acting last couple of days.... i now have her in the house and im very concerned, shes refuseing food now as well, im off to the vet soon for blood tests, her nose is warm and dry, i'll take her temperature shortly.

 

 

any tick bourne diseases that could be the cause?

 

Click the BADA link on my sig :thumbs:

[CarraghsGem 92]

its the wrong tick for lymes disease, its a pale grey tick that i found on my dog, will look deeper into what ticks are the cause of the other 2 diseases mentioned.

 

 

[events co-ordinator 353]

My old man has just had a pacemaker fitted and the consultant reckons tics may be the cause they are carrying out more tests BADA site gives good advice and its a charity well worth donating to.

[sandymere 8,263]

Events co ordinator Lyme disease can definatly cause heart block and so lead to a pacemaker being needed.

If a dog has been bitten by ticks, of any description, or been in an area where they are known to be, then it is a possibility that needs to be considered if there are otherwise undiagnosed symptoms that may begin with a rash that circle a bite for followed my general malaise, confusion, neck stiffness, enlarged lymph nodes and can lead to a variety of longer term problems including heart problems and meningitis. High dose antibiotics are the treatment for ongoing complications.

[CarraghsGem 92]

UPDATE; she got progressively worse last night, in and out of consiousness, high fever, i gave her fluids with antibiotics in them every time she came to, i expected her to die last night + that i would be sending her body off for an autopsy today.

 

about 4am this morning the fever broke and she took fluids and went into a normal sleep, she is now on her way to recovery, bright + alert and recognises us again, she is understandably weak but on her way to recovery. she is on a course of strong antibiotics and has had a vitamin injection. im so relieved, she'll be living in the house for a while until she has the constitution of an ox.... ticks are a severely underestimated risk to a dogs life.

[bert the fert 28]

UPDATE; she got progressively worse last night, in and out of consiousness, high fever, i gave her fluids with antibiotics in them every time she came to, i expected her to die last night + that i would be sending her body off for an autopsy today.

 

about 4am this morning the fever broke and she took fluids and went into a normal sleep, she is now on her way to recovery, bright + alert and recognises us again, she is understandably weak but on her way to recovery. she is on a course of strong antibiotics and has had a vitamin injection. im so relieved, she'll be living in the house for a while until she has the constitution of an ox.... ticks are a severely underestimated risk to a dogs life.

 

 

I'm right glad she's pulled through, Gem.

[SNAP SHOT 194]

Glad to hear she's on the mend.........