Ticks are common parasites that threaten both humans and animals. Their bite can result in a serious illness. Ticks are carriers of parasites - the simplest of the Babesia genus, which cause a dangerous disease in dogs - piroplasmosis.
Where a dog can pick up a tick
It is quite widely believed that nothing threatens a four-legged pet in the city, and only trips to nature and walks in the forest are dangerous. However, ticks, which once lived mainly in deep forests, in recent decades feel quite comfortable in city parks, squares, and just on lawns in courtyards. Owners should be vigilant, as the tick can bite the dog anywhere.
Why is a tick bite dangerous?
Many ixodid ticks are carriers of a disease such as piroplasmosis. As soon as an infected tick has adhered to an animal, Babesia immediately enters the bloodstream. In a dog, after a bite, the temperature rises, it becomes lethargic, refuses to eat. There may be blood in the urine, from which it becomes brown.
If treatment is not started, the urine becomes normal in color and the temperature drops below normal. But this does not mean that the animal is recovering. On the contrary, he may develop vomiting, mucous membranes, whites of the eyes and skin - acquire a yellow tint, since the functioning of the liver is disrupted, anemia begins. If the owners do not go to the veterinarian, most often the disease ends in death.
However, even a timely trip to the veterinary clinic does not guarantee that pyroplasmosis will pass without consequences for the dog. Unfortunately, this disease has its own complications. During illness, the affected red blood cells are destroyed and excreted from the body through the kidneys. If too many red blood cells are affected, they can clog the kidney tubules, resulting in kidney failure.
Intoxication affects the entire body, but the liver and brain are most affected, and inflammation develops. Due to the mass death of erythrocytes, anemia begins in the animal - oxygen loses its ability to enter all tissues and organs in sufficient quantities. Against this background, multiple microthrombi are formed in the animal. These complications are fatal.
Prevention of complications
After you and your veterinarian have cured your dog of piroplasmosis, take preventive measures to avoid complications. The diet of a recovered animal should contain an increased amount of meat in order to quickly restore red blood cells. The dog is prescribed Essentiale or other liver-supporting medications. Plasmapheresis can be performed under the supervision of a physician.
