| I had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever a few years ago and felt like I had the flu for 3-4 solid months. We see dogs with RMSF here in Missouri so I sympathize with them. Dr. Lundgren did a good job informing us with this article | |
Authored by: Becky Lundgren, DVM
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Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. This intracellular parasite is transmitted to dogs through the bite of an infected tick. The ticks that can transmit RMSF are the Rocky Mountain wood tick, the American dog tick, and the brown dog tick.
In the United States, RMSF is most common in the southern Atlantic states, western central states, and areas of the mid-Atlantic and southern New England coastal states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about 1 to 3 percent of the tick population carries R. rickettsii, even in those geographic areas.
In the United States, RMSF is most common in the southern Atlantic states, western central states, and areas of the mid-Atlantic and southern New England coastal states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about 1 to 3 percent of the tick population carries R. rickettsii, even in those geographic areas.
An infected tick has to feed on an animal for 5 to 20 hours before the organism activates and becomes infective to a susceptible animal. Transmission of the Rickettsia can then occur due to the bite or from exposure to the parasite while handling the tick.
Clinical Signs
Clinical signs will show up 2 to 14 days after the bite occurred. The parasite creates an inflammation of the body's small blood vessels, which results in damage to all the organs of the body.
Common signs include fever, lethargy, inappetence, pain, eye/nose discharge, nosebleed, cough, enlarged lymph nodes, lameness, skin necrosis/sloughing, hemorrhage, and peripheral swelling. Petechial hemorrhages (tiny hemorrhages in the skin) will occur in about 20% of affected dogs. Up to one third of the infected dogs will have central nervous system signs (lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements, weakness, balance problems, cranial nerve abnormalities, seizures, stupor, spinal pain, etc.). Any organ in the body may be affected and the clinical signs may be mild or severe enough to result in death.
Diagnosis
Diagnostic tests for RMSF include blood tests looking for severely low platelet count, plus coagulation profiles, blood chemical analysis, and serology. (Paired titers, from blood samples taken 14 to 21 days apart, are often needed, but a single high titer in dogs that have clinical signs is consistent with an active infection.) Response to antibiotic therapy is suggestive, but not diagnostic.
Treatment/Management
Specific treatment relies on the use of appropriate antibiotics. Response to the antibiotics usually is seen within 24 to 48 hours, although advanced cases may not respond at all to treatment. The most common antibiotics used are tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline. Chloramphenicol is usually reserved for pregnant bitches or young puppies. Fluoroquinolones, such as enrofloxacin, have shown efficacy, but their use is generally restricted to older animals. Side effects to any of the antibiotics may be seen. Your veterinarian will choose the antibiotic that best suits your pet's age, pregnancy status, etc.
Blood transfusions to treat anemia and other supportive therapies may be needed.
Prevention
Limit your dog's exposure to ticks and to tick-infested areas, especially from March through October.
Inspect your dogs closely for ticks. If you can remove a tick within a couple of hours after attachment, the organism will not have had time to modify and become infective. Wear gloves when removing ticks, as the infective organism can get into your body through abrasions, cuts, etc.
Use tick control products to prevent tick attachment and/or to kill attached ticks.
By VIN Community Contributors
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=3574
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