If you have even been on a hike on a warm spring day and come home to put your feet up only to discover a tick on your socks or shoes then you know the inconvenience these pests can cause. No doubt you have also felt the annoying sting of a mosquito bite while barbequing on the back patio. What you might not know is that these pests are more than just an inconvenience; they carry diseases that can be deadly to your dog. While humans are sometimes affected by tick borne diseases, we are more susceptible to diseases spread by mosquitoes. Interestingly enough the diseases that affect us can not be spread to our dogs and vice versa. There are a variety of diseases caused by mosquito and tick bites among dogs including Heartworm, Lyme, Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis.

1. Heartworm Disease is a disease contracted when a mosquito carrying microscopic heartworm larvae of a parasitic worm feeds on your dog and those larvae are transferred to your dog. They enter through the skin, then travel through the bloodstream and eventually settle and grow in the right side of the heart and the arteries of the lungs. Once there, the parasites will grow until they reach a length of 10 to 12 inches at maturity. Heartworm disease causes lung disease and heart failure and is often fatal. While easy prevented through monthly topical or ingested ivermectin treatments, heartworms continue to be a major health problem for dogs throughout the United States.

2. Lyme disease is caused when a dog is bitten by a tick carrying a spirochete bacterium and transmits that bacterium to your dog. The most common carrier of Lyme disease is the deer tick, a very small black legged tick. Lyme disease can be difficult to detect, but can present symptoms such as lameness, painful or swollen joints and swollen lymph nodes. Lyme disease attacks the kidneys and when left untreated can cause paralysis, kidney failure and possibly death. Instances of Lyme disease are most prevalent in the North, and Midwest; however, is present in the majority of the country. Infection can occur within 24 hours and can be prevented through monthly topical treatments and in some cases, vaccinations.

3. Anaplasmosis is often referred to as dog tick fever and is caused by the anaplasma bacteria transmitted by the same tick that causes Lyme disease, the deer tick. A similar form of Anaplasmosis is carried by the brown dog tick. Both forms cause stiffness in the joints, high fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and neck pain. Dogs show symptoms 10-14 days after being bitten. The disease can be treated with antibiotics over a four week period and most dogs respond well to treatment; however, some develop immune system problems after infection. Anaplasmosis is most common in areas affected by Lyme disease, but is found all over the country. The disease is easily prevented through the same topical treatments that protect against other tick borne diseases.

4. Ehrlichiosis is similar to Anaplasmosis; however, it is most common in the gulf coast and southern regions of the United States and is transmitted through the brown dog tick only. This tick is slightly larger than its deer tick relative and easier to spot on people and animals. This disease can incubate for up to 5 years before showing symptoms. Symptoms include high fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, bruises on the stomach and runny eyes and noses. Chronic cases present with severe bleeding disorders, anemia, thrombocytopenia, lameness and left untreated always result in death. Earlier stages can be treated with steroids and antibiotics; however, treatment periods are lengthy and the prognosis is not always favorable. Treatments might also include blood transfusions and other life-saving measures. While topical tick treatments are highly effective, they do not guarantee 100% protection.

The bottom line is that these diseases are easily preventable through monthly topical treatments including products by Frontline, Advantage, K9 Advantix and BioSpot. Treatments range from $5 to $20 per month depending on the size of your dog, but far outweigh the costs of treating these very serious diseases. If you think that your dog might have a mosquito or tick borne disease you should immediately take your dog to your Veterinarian. These diseases are typically diagnosed through blood tests and are easier to treat in the earlier stages.  

Article submitted by the authors from pet-super-store a pet supplies site featuring dog fences, petsafe radio fence and dog beds