Don't let your guard down
An uptick in a tick-borne disease has prompted a Nova Scotia veterinarian to remind pet owners to treat their cats and dogs with flea and tick repellent, even during the winter.
“We’re getting these breakout warm spells. (One) week it was warm and the ticks were out,” said Dr. Kathryn Finlayson at the East River Animal Hospital in New Glasgow. “(Another week) it’s cold again and so people aren’t thinking about it.”
Four dogs in the last month have been diagnosed with a tick-borne disease called anaplasmosis, a bacterial infection that can cause jointpain and lameness if untreated, as well as bleeding disorders.
The infection was caught thanks to the regular screening that these dogs underwent during routine vaccination.
“We use these tests routinely on annual vaccine visits,” said Finlayson. “One dog that I saw came in for routine vaccines and the owner said, ‘you know, he’s just not himself.’”
Symptoms for early-stage Anaplasmosis are not always obvious, and they do present differently in different dogs, but the most common signs usually seen within the first two weeks of infection are lethargy, lack of appetite and fever.
After doing some blood work, Finlayson determined a more specific test was administered.
“We suspected either Lyme disease or anaplasmosis and he tested positive for anaplasmosis.”
Mild winters are certainly a contributing factor to the prevalence of tick-borne diseases in Atlantic Canada. Thankfully, improved testing is being credited for faster disease detection.
For example, the test that helped Finlayson diagnose anaplasmosis in her patient took only 10 minutes to complete, and can also be used to check for other bacterial infections like Lyme or Eherlichia.
Knowledge among pet owners, Finlayson says, is another key component in catching these infections before they become problematic.
“People are becoming more mindful to make sure they come in for their routine exams,” said Finlayson, emphasizing the need to keep treating pets with tick products throughout the supposedly cold months of winter.
“Treat monthly with tick and flea product, and come in for preventative care.”