Be Prepared for Seasonal Dangers
By Dr. Dorothy McLean, HEALS team member
It’s the start of summer in the U.S. and that means heat, humidity–and a lot of insects. Because of more recent warmer winters, the populations of various types of insects did not experience the historical die-off from frigid weather and there’s an increase in these bugs as a result.
Unfortunately, insects that prey on warm-blooded animals are among those whose populations are growing. Mosquitoes, ticks and fleas as well as various dangerous bacteria living in warm, standing waters are at an all-time high. But Summer traditionally is a time when pet owners and their pets plan on enjoying the warmth and sunlight and the beaches and fields and forests. That’s great–but be forewarned about what can be done to protect pets and people from these bugs.
While humans can apply bug spray before enjoying the great outdoors, animals can’t tolerate bug sprays and rely on their human companions to help them by using specialized treatments for fleas and ticks which can cause a host of diseases from their bite.
What follows is an overview of common seasonal dangers along with tips to help keep your pets safe and happy this summer.
Water Works
- Mosquito bites can transmit disease and warm water that has not much movement can be a perfect source of other dangerous bacteria.
- All pets should have access to fresh clean water and pet food for their species. This helps reduce the temptation to eat or drink foul water or garbage they find as they walk along.
Mosquito Bytes
Much like the human transmission of malaria, mosquitoes can transmit contagion they pick up as they feed on blood of infected animals. In this case, the life-threatening disease is heartworm.
Heartworm
- Heartworm can be found in most of the U.S. and there’s a prevalence of it all along the East Coast.
- It can survive up to seven years in a dog bitten by a mosquito carrying that infected blood.
- Heartworm can be likened to a thread of foot-long thin spaghetti that takes over the heart and lung tissues.
Dog Dos
- Dogs are a natural host for this parasite and it can live a full life cycle in the dog’s body and reproduce many times.
- It can be treated, but it produces irreparable damage to the dog’s internal organs and a much-altered quality of life and is ultimately life-threatening.
- Preventatives can be given to puppies under seven months without a heartworm test, although dogs over seven months and adult dogs should be tested by a veterinarian.
- Treatment is available! Annual tests are done. Because it is easy to prevent by use of a chewable, this is certainly a good thing to do routinely.
Cat calls
- Cats are not natural hosts for this worm and although it can infect a cat, it never actually matures or reproduces.
- It can generally survive up to three years in a cat.
- The average infected cat may have several immature worms, unlike the hundreds a dog is capable of carrying.
- Cats are less likely to be diagnosed and the chewable available for dogs is not available to cats, although there is a spot-on liquid and a different pill available.
- The worm can cause respiratory system harm.
- The best way to avoid heartworm in cats is to prevent it altogether!
It should be noted other small warm-blooded animals can also be infected, such as ferrets, foxes, and coyotes. The American Heartworm Society website, heartwormsociety.org, is a good resource.
Ticks-Tox
Ticks are another troubling type of insect that has been seen to be spreading with increasingly warm temperatures. There are a number of different kinds of ticks. They prey on warm-blooded animals, including humans. Lyme Disease is caused by the black-legged or so-called deer tick, but the tick can be transmitted by hitching a ride on any other creature–even birds.
Lyme Disease
- Lyme disease most frequently occurs in the Upper Midwest, Northeastern Coast, Southeastern Canada, and Europe.
- The tick produces a bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) which can infect cats, dogs and horses in addition to humans.
- It’s not contagious between species.
- Approximately 10% of dogs will become symptomatic, while 90% of people will show symptoms.
- The illness can be severe.
- Less is known about the incidence of Lyme in cats.
It can take dogs a period of two to five months to show signs of Lyme. Most never show signs at all. But the signs can be painful:
- Swollen lymph nodes or joints
- Lameness that shifts from one side to the other
- Poor appetite
- Fever
- Lethargy
A small percentage can be effected in the kidneys. Death is a scary possibility. Veterinarians treating Lyme typically prescribe antibiotics for about a month. Searching your pets that go out and removing any suspicious-looking bugs with a tweezers is definitely recommended when they come back in.
Ticks can live in any longer grasses or leaves, along marshes or forests. They even live in urban areas. There’s a vaccine available for dogs, but a veterinarian should be consulted to make sure it can be tolerated. Besides removing the ticks manually, there are topical treatments available from the veterinarian that work to prevent ticks and fleas. Depending on the product used, the timing of application may vary.
There are many other types of ticks that cause disease and they’re found throughout the U.S. The most common diseases are:
- Ehrlichiosis
- Anaplasmosis
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Babesiosis
- Bartonellosis
- Hepatozoonosis
Ehrlichiosis
Several types of tick bites can result in Ehrlichiosis, including the black-legged tick. The prognosis if good if treated quickly between one and three weeks of the tick bite. The symptoms can include fever, poor appetite and problems with blood clotting–for instance, nose bleeds.Anaplasmosis
This disease can be caused by a bite from the black-legged tick. While Anaplasmosis can be found world-wide, the bacteria the tick produces in North America is actually specifically two different types:- Phagocytophyllum, which is found in the Upper Midwest and the Northeast of the U.S.
- Platys in California and the coastal states.
This disease is also treatable. The signs are similar to Lyme, although the problem with blood clotting is like Ehrlichiosis.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
This disease can be caused by the American Dog Tick, the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick and the Brown Deer Tick. It can now be found in North, South and Central America. The symptoms can be:- Fever
- Joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- No appetite
- Problems clotting
- Neurological issues like wobbliness
Babesiosis
This is a disease primarily caused by a tick–and many different types of tick at that. But it can also be transferred by a bite, transmission to a placenta and access to contaminated blood, such as intravenously. It causes the hemolysis or breaking down of red blood cells–causing pale gums, lethargy, jaundice and dark urine.Bartonella
This is a disease of cats–although it can be transmitted by scratches to dogs and people. According to the Centers for Disease Control (cdc.gov), there’s no evidence that humans get Bartonella through ticks, although by fleas, lice, sand flies or infested animals. Any animal carrying the flea with these several bacteria can carry the disease. Most cats do not show the signs of the disease and do well. Most people resolve on their own with a small percentage requiring antibiotics. Because this can be shed in feces, it is recommended gloves be worn to clean a litter box and the box be kept clean.Hepatozoonosis
This is a disease that a dog can contract through swallowing an infected brown deer tick. It can’t be passed to humans. It occurs generally in the Southern part of the U.S. It’s highly debilitating and often fatal. The primary symptoms are:- Muscle wasting
- Pain
- Anemia
- Reluctance to stand
Flea Fix
Fleas are found in many places. Keeping animals under preventative regimen is the best course of action. The veterinarian can suggest different flea treatments and preventatives. Washing the animal’s bedding frequently in hot water can help. Fleas carry with them the eggs for tapeworm. This can be addressed by the flea prevention method used. Roundworms are another type of worm that cat mothers can even give offspring through their milk. Veterinarians can suggest dewormer.
Warm stagnant water can harbor blue-green algae with Cyanobacteria that is toxic for dogs and is of increasing frequency in the South of the U.S. The use of fertilizers with phosphorus that gets into warm, still waters causes a condition fatal to dogs who swim in it. If they get into it, hose them down and take them to the veterinarian immediately.
Mite Mayhem
Mites are another small insect that can live on pets. Ear Mites live in and around the ear canal. Itchy ears or smelly ears can be cleaned out and drops provided. Mites can burrow into the skin causing hair loss, inflammation and general discomfort. They’re easily spread between animals. Scabies and Walking Dandruff are two conditions caused by mites that can be treated topically by a veterinarian.
Summer Salve
This has been a thumbnail grouping of common insect-born conditions enhanced by summertime weather and living. Keeping pets away from direct sunlight on a very hot day, making sure they have plenty of fresh water available to drink–and being mindful of where they’ve been and what they could have brought home–will make everyone happier and healthier this season!
July Recipe: Summertime Greek Couscous Salad
Couscous is very simple and quick to stir up on a hot evening. Near East and other distributors sell small boxes telling you how much couscous to add to boiling water. When you have added it, turn off the heat and cover the pot and let it sit for five minutes. Your couscous will be done.
Add a little olive oil or butter to help fluff it up and then you can add:
Sliced pitted Kalamata olives
Halved grape tomatoes
Chickpeas (canned is fine)
Cubed cucumber
Small diced red onion
Chopped red pepper
Cubed traditional feta cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Dried oregano
Fresh parsley and dill
The juice of half a lemon with olive oil as dressing
And if you prefer–either some steamed shrimp or grilled chicken cubed
Stir it up, find a cool place–and enjoy!!
