Typical Diseases of the Mediterranean Area - Tick Disease

Tick Disease

Tick season starts in the Mediterranean area in March and lasts until November. We can mainly find two tick species in this region: Ixodes Ticinus (black tick) and Rhipicephalus Sanguinens (brown tick). The latter is the responsible one for tick disease. The mild, long-lasting summer in our region is ideal breeding ground for large numbers of ticks, and especially when the summertime has a certain humidity there can appear a plague of ticks.

They hide in the well watered gardens, and in the bushes and shrubbery of the fields, especially in areas frequented by passing sheep and goats. This is where dogs collect ticks. The female tick of the Rhipicephalus can be a “carrier” of tick disease; she can carry in her saliva some bacteria of the species “Richeltsia”, known as Ehrlichia canis. Whilst sucking blood from the dog, the tick can infect the dog with Ehrlichia. After a variable incubation period, Ehrlichia reach certain white blood cells (monocytes) which flow in the blood stream and can infect the whole body.

Symptoms

-          High fever and complete weakness after tick infestation

-          Eye and nose discharge

-          Loss of appetite and loss of weight

-          Serious anemia and sudden hemorrhages (bleeding from the nose, the mouth, the intestine and/or subcutaneous bleeding)

Diagnosis

A general check in conjunction with a blood test is the best way to determine Ehrlichia.

Treatment

In early stages sometimes we just need the application of a special antibiotic for 10 to 14 days. In some dogs, who have a weak defense system, symptoms can appear so violently that the animal needs intensive care with blood transfusions. If the disease is not detected in time, the dog could die.

Can humans get tick disease?

Ticks can infect humans with several diseases, but the special tick fever in dogs caused by Ehrlichia canis, is not normally dangerous for us. There exist medical reports of infection in humans but this is a rarity. However, care should be taken, because ticks can infect humans with “Mediterranean Fever”, “Tick Paralysis” (caused by tick poison) and Borrelliosis (special bacterias and very dangerous!)

Prevention

Examine your dog for ticks after every walk. If you find any ticks, remove them immediately. The longer the tick sucks blood the more likely is a following infection with tick disease. Ask your vet how to remove it correctly.

In regions where there is a big tick problem, the dog should be protected with special repellent, anti-tick collars or liquids – ask your veterinarian for advice.

If you find a tick fixed in your skin, remove it immediately with alcohol (from the farmacy, NOT gin! and a clockwise turning movement – NEVER PULL. Then, consult your Doctor.

Dra. Inka Fca. Labsch