naturalpet TICKS TACKLING by Dr. Mark Newkirk


are a fact of life. After a winter break in the northern states, they’re back with a vengeance come warmer weather and


N Lyme Disease


Dogs are 50 percent more likely to contract Lyme disease as humans. If left untreated it can cause serious, debilitat- ing problems. Symptoms affecting joints and organs may be hidden in the early stages of the disease, so it’s important to have a dog tested every year and anytime the guardian suspects the dog has been exposed to ticks. The disease has been reported in every state. The good news is that Lyme disease cannot be transmit- ted directly from a pet to family members. If ticks are typical- ly found in an area, it’s wise to reduce the risk by inspecting canines and people several times a day when enjoying out- door activities. An excellent vaccine exists for pets, although not for humans.


Ehrlichiosis


The second most common infectious disease in the United States, this potentially life threatening menace is spreading, carried by several common dog ticks. The parasite attacks the blood cells, rather than the joints. Intermittent fever and leth- argy (which can signal various illnesses) are the main signs. The disease can result in permanent disability or death.


20 San Diego Edition


plague parts of the south all year round. Many species of ticks can carry disease. From the more


common Lyme, Erlichia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever to tick paralysis and Anaplasmosis, these bugs are bad news. Some diseases are species specific, but some, like Lyme disease, can infect deer, dogs and humans. Cats seem to be resistant to many tick diseases like Erlichia and Rocky Moun- tain spotted fever; although why this is so remains largely a mystery.


o one likes ticks (except the birds that love to eat them), but like fleas and cockroaches, ticks


While there are no proven cases of direct transmission


of the Ehrlichiosis parasite from dogs to people, ticks can transmit it directly to people. A simple in-office blood test can determine if a pet has this disease; blood screening will often show a decreased platelet count.


Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever


This illness shows similar signs and symptoms as Lyme disease in dogs. The danger is that pet owners and vets often chalk them up to a sprained ligament or twisted knee, be- cause the pet seems better in a day or two. Keys to diagnosis include the appearance of fever, repeated symptoms or lame- ness that shifts between legs. Again, a disease-specific blood test is helpful.


Treatment


No vaccine exists for Erlichia or Rocky Mountain spotted fe- ver, and the decision to vaccinate for Lyme disease depends on exposure risk. At the Alternative Care Center in Margate, New Jersey, we sometimes use nosodes, a homeopathic “vaccination” in the treatment or as a preventive measure for Lyme disease. Homeopathic treatment of active or resistant Lyme disease may use Lym D (from BioActive Nutritional) and Ledum, which can also be used in combination with antibiotics. Some holistic vets believe that such


homeopathy works with the body to boost the immune system in attacking the Lyme organism. Yet the only prevention measure ap- proved by the


…continued on page 22 www.na-sd.com


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