Be Babesiosis (TICK!) Aware...
Earlier this year, news across the UK broke out that a new “deadly tick-borne disease” had been diagnosed in dogs in the southeast of England. A parasite living in red blood cells known as babesiosis disease is similar to malaria, but is transmitted by tick bites. This disease has now been confirmed to have reached the UK for the first time.
Babesiosis has been common on the continent and across the world for years but the UK has been lucky enough to avoid it being surrounded by water.
The UK has had reported outbreaks before but these occurred in dogs that had travelled to Europe. The difference this year is that the outbreaks occurred in dogs that have not been abroad or in direct contact with dogs that had; which indicates that infected ticks are in fact in the environs of Kent and surviving.
Babesiosis is caused by a parasite called Babesia canis. The parasite infects the dog’s red blood cells, destroying them and triggering the immune system to respond. Unfortunately, in the body’s efforts to destroy the parasites the immune system destroys its red blood cells. The symptoms to look out for are: lethargy, appetite loss, weight loss, a shortness of breath, anaemia, jaundice, high temperature, discoloured waste and swollen lymphs.
Many affected dogs get very sick, so the prognosis is guarded. Treatment can be expected in the line of anti-protozoal drugs, medications to reduce the immune system’s attack, intravenous fluids, sometimes blood transfusions and intensive care. The anti-babesia drugs are not licensed for use in dogs in the UK, and may need to be imported from France or Spain, where the condition is common.
The parasite Babesia canis does not usually spread from dog to dog but is via a tick bite. Though theoretically, infected blood on blood transmission is possible, for example if dogs fight and blood
44
is drawn. It is possible that a bitch may infect her unborn pups too.
It is understood that the UK’s most common tick the sheep tick or Ixodes ricinus does not carry the parasite and that it is the rarer meadow tick Dermacentor reticulatus that carries the parasite. Babesia canis does not usually infect people, we are thought to be at a very low risk. But other Babesia species have managed to “jump the species barrier” into people with weaker immune systems. Care should always be taken to avoid being bitten by ticks as they do carry other nasty diseases; removing one as soon as possible should minimise disease transfer. Almost certainly, this disease will spread further afield than Kent. Ticks will latch on to foxes, deer and other forms of wildlife which will carry them and their infection across the countryside.
There is no vaccine for Babesiosis in the UK. But you can help to reduce its transmission by removing the tick as soon as you notice it. As ticks do not transfer the parasite for 24-48 hours after burrowing its mouthparts into the dog’s skin, there is a window of opportunity to minimise risk. Using a hook to twist and remove will help. However, any product that will repel or kill them rapidly, will lower any risk of infection. The range of veterinary grade products available from your vet as spot-ons, collars and tablets are highly effective.
If you think your dog has been infected, you really need to see your vet as soon as possible and fully explain your concerns. Urgent treatment is needed for your dog to make a full recovery and the more information you can give your vet the sooner effective treatment can begin. It is always good practice at the end of a walk to just run your hands over your dog to ensure that ticks have not grabbed a lift on his or her coat.
To advertise in thewire t. 07720 429 613 e.
fiona@thewireweb.co.uk Please mention thewire when responding to adverts
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100
