New Tick Disease affecting Local Pets
March 17th, 2016 by iPhone
A few years ago, some dogs presented to Monticello Animal Clinic with some strange problems. They were very lethargic, acted like they were sore, and lab work indicated a severe infection. But, they were non-responsive to treatment!
Through an exploratory surgery, a lesion on the spleen was noted and sent in for diagnosis. The results came back as Hepatozoon, a tick borne disease that previously had not been diagnosed in our state. This disease hits home for Dr. Rocky Lindsey, because his dog was the first case that he had seen with the disease, yet it went undiagnosed until it was too late, since this disease was
not supposed to be in Arkansas.
Hepatozoon is a parasite that your dog is infected with via ticks. It is related to the same parasite that causes other tick diseases such as Lyme disease. Your pet must actually bite and swallow the tick for it be transmitted. But here is the kicker – it is not curable!! There
are treatments that help the dog feel better and decrease the clinical signs, but the treatment is not inexpensive, life long, and sometimes ineffective.
We are seeing more and more confirmed cases of Hepatozoon each year. Often times it is in house pets, when the pet owner never knew a tick was even present. The only way to help prevent the disease is to use high quality flea and tick preventatives. With warm weather approaching, the ticks will again be out soon. So, please consider using a safe and effective product on your pet to avoid this awful disease.
Dr. Tabitha Norris, Dr. Judy Poirrier, Dr. Rocky Lindsey, and staff of Monticello Animal Clinic
Choose another article
Newer article: MED/MEDF Discussing “In-fill Properties” – Video
Older article: Eretta Williams
