Pet lovers, beware of ticks and fleas on your dogs

Even as you reel under the sweltering heat, as pet owners you will have to additionally watch out for the invasion of ticks and fleas on your dogs. They constantly scratch their skin, but sometimes owners miss noticing the variety of life-threatening, tick-borne diseases spread by these blood-sucking parasites.

“If left untreated, the dogs will fall prey to many deadly diseases including Canine Babesiosis (Babesia canis) and Canine Ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis). They will cause anaemia in dogs and it will be difficult to save the animal if the platelet count drops below 30,000,” said B. Nagarajan, a Chennai-based expert in Veterinary Medicine.

In India, the common parasite that causes the disease is Rhipicephalus sanguineus. “Though the problem persists through the year, humidity during the summer attracts more parasites. In many cases even a blood test may not reveal the presence of the diseases. Normally, veterinarians will begin the treatment taking into consideration the presence of symptoms,” said Dr. Nagarajan.

Even though a variety of insecticides are available to eliminate ticks, veterinarians come across cases of ticks and fleas developing resistance to external application of medicines.

“Since some of the medicines have been in use for many years, the parasites have developed resistance to them. This season, I have already treated a lot of dogs in Chennai that have come in with tick-borne diseases, in a life-threatening condition. We have to try treating them with different combinations of medicines for better results,” said M. Vijaya Bharathi, another senior practitioner and expert in Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine.

“Their spleen will enlarge and there will be cases of jaundice and kidney failure. This clearly explains why pet parents should not take tick problem lightly,” Dr. Vijaya Bharathi explained.

Treatment varies

As a way to prevent ticks and fleas from developing resistance, Dr. Nagarajan said medication should be specific to each dog for best results. He advised pet parents to take the dog to a vet without trying to treat the infection themselves. “Treatment varies from dog to dog and only a veterinarian can decide the best medicine for control of ticks in a particular dog,” he said.

What is equally important is keeping the environment free from ticks. “We cannot stop with just treating the animal. Sanitise living areas with the help of insecticides. Spray insecticide on walls and corners of the house to eradicate the parasites,,” Dr. Nagarajan said.