Category: Ask A Vet

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease that can be transmitted by ticks to your dog ¹. This disease can be found in North, South, and Central America. Knowing your dog may have RMSF can be difficult as the abnormal signs can be confused with a number of diseases. In this article we will discuss in more detail how your dog may get RMSF, what the signs of the disease are, and how it can be treated. Prevention is also key with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and there are some great options available for your dog.

What Is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a bacterial disease that is transmitted by ticks. RMSF is caused by an infection with the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsia. The bacteria will infect certain species of ticks, which can then bite your dog. As the tick enjoys a tasty meal of your dog’s blood, the bacteria are transmitted into your dog’s blood stream. The tick needs to be attached for at least 4-6 hours in order to pass on the bacteria. Therefore, having your dog on tick prevention will help keep the tick from being attached long enough to transmit the disease.

Most commonly, RMSF is spread by the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick in the western United States, the American Dog Tick in the midwestern and eastern United States, and less commonly, the brown dog tick or the Lone Star tick in the southwestern United States and Mexico. There are other ticks that can pass the disease, but these are the most commonly reported. The name of the disease can be deceiving as only a low percentage of cases are actually reported from the Rocky Mountain Region. Most commonly, the disease is diagnosed in the warmer months across the country: April through September. However, depending on the area of the country, RMSF can be found year-round.

What Are the Signs of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?

The signs of a RMSF infection can be very vague. Commonly your dog may have a high fever, be lethargic, have a decreased appetite, or even be completely anorexic. Some dogs may develop a rash, swelling of one or multiple limbs or other body parts, vomiting, and diarrhea.

A fever may develop within a week of the infected tick bite and last for up to 2 weeks. This is important to remember so you can let your veterinarian know if your dog was in an area with a high tick population within a week or two of becoming sick. The disease can cause a decrease in the number of red blood cells and platelets, potentially leading to pale gums and spontaneous bleeding. In severe cases, your dog may become severely lethargic, have an increase in their respiratory rate, collapse, or start to have bloody urine or feces, or even cough up or vomit blood.

What Are the Causes of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in a Dog?

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is caused by an infection with the Rickettsia rickettsia bacterium. Ticks are considered a vector. In other words, the tick will have a blood meal on an animal and have the bacteria enter their bloodstream. The bacterium then replicates, and the tick can bite another animal, passing it along to that new host.  RMSF is one of many Rickettsial infections. Many of the other Rickettsial infections are also passed along to dogs, and even humans, by infected ticks.

How Do I Care for a Dog With Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?

Your dog will need to be treated with a long, aggressive course of antibiotics to clear the bacterial disease. No amount of home remedies, herbs, and oils will clear the responsible bacteria aside from an antibiotic. Doxycycline is the most commonly used antibiotic. However, your veterinarian may prescribe a different medication if your dog has an adverse reaction to the medication. Most commonly we will see vomiting and/or diarrhea from doxycycline.

Prevention is your best defense against not only Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, but other tick diseases as well. There are many good products on the market today that help prevent both flea and tick infestations. Topical products, or products that are applied to the skin of your dog, are typically not as effective as oral products. Your dog’s lifestyle – i.e., if you go hiking with them, camping, what your yard is like, and/or if they just live in an apartment and take walks around the neighborhood – will help your veterinarian prescribe the most appropriate preventative for your dog.

Unfortunately, a lot of the prescription flea and tick preventatives on the market have gotten bad media about rare side effects. Over the counter products, or home remedies such as essential oils, are not only ineffective but can also cause damage. Always speak to your veterinarian about the risks of preventatives and to help you navigate what is best for your dog. If you find any ticks on your dog, you can also remove them yourself. Just make sure that you kill the tick so that it cannot bite you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Diagnosed?

As discussed, the signs of RMSF are non-specific. In other words, other diseases share the same abnormal signs. Your veterinarian will likely perform a CBC and chemistry test to look for decreased red blood cells and platelet numbers. Specialized blood testing to a lab can then further narrow down the diagnosis of RMSF.

Can I Catch RMSF From My Dog?

If your dog has been diagnosed with, and/or infected with RMSF, your dog cannot pass it to you per se. In other words, your dog can’t pass the bacteria to you by licking and/or biting you. However, if the infected tick bites your dog and is in the vicinity, it can then also bite you, infecting you.

Can Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Be Cured?

Yes. The antibiotic doxycycline is the recommended treatment for dogs with RMSF. However, if left undiagnosed and untreated, your dog can develop severe complications and can die from the disease.

Conclusion

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is caused by infection from the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsia. Multiple species of ticks act as a vector to transmit the bacteria from one infected animal to another. People can also develop RMSF after being bit by an infected tick. Your dog may have vague signs of lethargy, anorexia, a rash, and bloodwork abnormalities. Your veterinarian will likely start treatment with an antibiotic for RMSF while awaiting specialized blood tests from the lab. If detected and treated early, your dog can recover from RMSF. A prescription preventative from your veterinarian is your best defense against Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

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Vaginitis is a condition that all female dogs can experience in their lifetime. The underlying causes of vaginitis can be difficult to diagnose, and it may be challenging to recognize clinical signs associated with this condition. Intact and altered female dogs are susceptible to the development of vaginitis. Continue reading to learn more about vaginitis in dogs.

What Is Vaginitis?

Vaginitis is the inflammation of the vagina and/or the vestibule, the lower portions of the reproductive tract. Vaginitis can occur in all female dogs regardless of age and reproductive status. Inflammation can occur in the vagina for a variety of reasons, from growths to urinary incontinence.

What Are the Signs of Vaginitis?

What Are the Causes of Vaginitis?

As mentioned, there are a lot of different reasons vaginitis occurs. Very uncommonly, vaginitis is caused by a primary bacterial infection. Although primary bacterial infections are uncommon, the normal bacteria found in the vagina can ramp up if recent antibiotics have been administered, leading to a bacterial imbalance. Some cases of vaginitis are considered idiopathic, meaning there is not an identifiable underlying cause. Below are some possible causes of vaginitis development in dogs:

How Is Vaginitis Diagnosed?

If you have suspicion that your dog may be experiencing problems due to observed clinical signs, you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination on your dog and will discuss diagnostics.

Physical Exam

Often, dogs with vaginitis will experience discharge from the vulva that is white or yellow in coloration. The vulva may also appear inflamed due to ongoing irritation from licking or scooting. Patients rarely show signs of systemic illness. Clinical signs and history are often supportive of vaginitis.

Urinalysis

A urinalysis may also be used as a way of ruling in or out a urinary tract infection. It is helpful to obtain a urine sample by cystocentesis instead of a voided sample. A cystocentesis sample of urine is obtained directly from the bladder with a needle and syringe. If urine pulled from the bladder shows bacteria, it can be trusted, as there have not been opportunities for contamination. Bacterial contamination of urine can occur during the voiding process when urine meets normal bacteria living within the vagina.

Cytology

A swab may be obtained from the vagina and the cells can be evaluated under the microscope. In vaginitis, there will be an increased amount of white blood cells present and often bacteria as well. Again, it is critical to note that bacteria presence in the vagina is normal, but increased numbers of bacteria may be suggestive of vaginitis.

It is important to know if the patient is intact and if the patient has recently gone through a heat cycle, as this can influence how the results are interpreted.

Further Testing

Additional tests may be recommended to determine the underlying causes of vaginitis. For instance, scoping may be done to evaluate for the presence of a mass. An ultrasound might be helpful in showing an ectopic ureter.

How Do I Care for a Dog With Vaginitis?

The first step in being able to care for a dog with vaginitis is going to be identifying the underlying cause. Once the underlying cause has been found, proper treatment options will be discussed. Examples of treatment options may be surgical correction of a physical abnormality or potentially estrogen supplementation if the problem is linked to low hormone levels.

Care should be taken to closely monitor your dog for signs of recurrence, which may include excessive licking, increased urgency to urinate, and discharge from the vulva, along with others. If these signs are noted, it is important to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.

If your veterinarian feels that your dog is uncomfortable, anti-inflammatories and pain medications may be prescribed. There may also be a benefit to administering probiotics.

It is important that the vulva remains clean and free of debris. Ensuring that the vulva is clean can help prevent secondary bacterial infections.

Puppy Vaginitis

Puppy vaginitis is a common occurrence in young female dogs. This is typically seen in dogs less than 1 year of age and can resolve on its own. Resolution typically occurs after the first heat cycle. Although vaginitis in young dogs is not uncommon, other diagnostics, like a urinalysis, will likely be done to ensure that your puppy isn’t battling something more serious.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should all dogs experiencing vaginitis be placed on antibiotics?

No! Most dogs will not need antibiotics for treatment. Unnecessary use of antibiotics may lead to problems.

Will my dog have recurring episodes of vaginitis?

It really depends on the underlying cause of vaginitis. Dogs with a physical abnormality that has led to vaginitis will likely continue having reoccurrence until the problem is corrected. A dog with a foreign body that has it appropriately removed will likely not go on to have recurrence of vaginitis.

In Conclusion

Vaginitis occurs in intact and spayed female dogs. Although common, treatment for vaginitis can be complicated, as it is dependent on the underlying cause. Identifying the cause enables clinical improvement through correct treatment. Improper use of antibiotics can further worsen problems in dogs and should be avoided. A veterinarian can help guide pet owners through recommended diagnostics and supportive care.

• See Also: 17 Common Dog Reproductive Problems: Vet Reviewed Signs & Treatments

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A single-celled organism called Giardia could potentially be the reason your pet is experiencing weight loss and diarrhea. Due to its prevalence in the environment, it is important to try to reduce the chances of Giardia exposure to your pet. If your pet does develop giardiasis from an infection with Giardia, it is fortunately treatable with guidance and medication from your veterinarian. Continue reading to learn more about this potentially harmful protozoan.

What Is Giardia?

Giardia is a type of single-celled organism called a protozoan. There are several different species of Giardia,¹ and not every variety causes infection in dogs. The protozoan can cause illness in exposed animals when the infective stage, called a cyst, is ingested.

The cyst enters into the host’s gastrointestinal tract where it transforms into the trophozoite stage once the hard cystic shell is destroyed. The trophozoite then divides into two trophozoites through binary fission. The protozoan swims through the gastrointestinal tract by use of long, whip-like tails or flagella.

When the organism finds a suitable place within the intestines, a suction cup-like mouthpiece allows the organism to grip onto the intestines. As Giardia attaches and damages the intestinal lining, absorption abnormalities occur, which results in diarrhea.

As trophozoites head to the rectum, they begin developing into the cystic form, which is the only way the organism will survive in the environment due to the protective covering. Trophozoites that accidentally pass into the stool will die if unable to encyst.

Giardia duodenalis is the species of Giardia that impacts mammals, including humans. Giardia is further classified into assemblages, with assemblages A, C, and D most often impacting dogs. Uncommonly, assemblage B has been isolated in dogs. Depending on the assemblage, giardiasis can be zoonotic, meaning it can be spread from animals to people. Most often, assemblage A and, to a lesser extent, assemblage B can be passed from dogs to humans.

How Did My Dog Get Giardiasis?

Most dogs contract giardiasis through ingestion of infected water. Cysts are able to survive in the environment for months, provided that the environment is hospitable. Fecal consumption and grooming leading to cyst ingestion are other ways that a dog can become infected.

What Are the Signs of Giardiasis?

Most patients do not show clinical signs of infection, and the diagnosis is often incidental. Patients who do have clinical signs may experience:

How Is Giardiasis Diagnosed?

Patients with giardiasis will often present to their veterinarian with signs of ongoing gastrointestinal signs, like diarrhea. Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination and recommend diagnostics for your pup, which will likely include fecal parasite tests.

Unfortunately, Giardia can be difficult to pick up on a typical fecal flotation test that is used to identify gastrointestinal parasites like roundworms and whipworms. As a result, when screening for Giardia, a special solution may be used in the fecal test. Alternatively, a direct fecal evaluation under the microscope may reveal Giardia cysts.

An additional beneficial fecal test is an ELISA test that can identify Giardia antigens. This test can be run in clinics or potentially at a reference laboratory. Within minutes, the test can either provide negative or positive results and is generally able to identify more positive cases than other diagnostics.

How Do I Care for a Pet With Giardiasis?

Medications

If your pet has been confirmed to have giardiasis, your veterinarian will discuss different treatment options. There are two common treatment options, both of which require at-home medication administration. Metronidazole and Fenbendazole are two medications most commonly dispensed to treat giardiasis. These medications may be used separately or concurrently.

Bathing

It is important to note that Giardia is sticky in nature and can cling to the fur surrounding your pet’s rectum. When this occurs, dogs are capable of reinfecting themselves while grooming. As a result, it is recommended that your pet is bathed during and at the end of the treatment course.

Encourage Fluid Intake

Patients battling giardiasis are at risk of dehydration if severe diarrhea is present. It is important to monitor your pet for signs of dehydration, which may include reduced urination, weakness, dry mucous membranes, and lethargy. Try to encourage your pet to consume water. This may be achieved through the frequent offering of fresh water, adding water to food, or supplementing water intake with ice cubes.

Treat The Environment

Giardia is a hearty organism capable of staying alive in hospitable environments for months. As a result, to lessen the chances of reinfection, it is important to dispose of stool quickly. Additionally, allowing contaminated surfaces to dry completely will help kill the cyst. Quaternary ammonia products and boiling water are effective at killing the cyst, whereas common disinfectants are not.

Frequently washing bedding and toys is a helpful way of limiting possible reinfection and transmission of Giardia. Killing cysts in the environment is much more challenging to do, but hot and dry environments will have a harder time supporting cysts.

Retesting Your Companion

If your dog still has signs of diarrhea after the completion of giardiasis treatment, your pet may need to be retested. ELISA tests are less helpful in this case, as antigens may still be present after the protozoan itself has been eliminated.

How Can a Giardia Infection Be Avoided?

Most dogs develop giardiasis after consuming the infective cyst from dirt or water within their environment. Although it is difficult to completely avoid this scenario, keeping your pet on a leash when outdoors can make avoidance easier. Additionally, being mindful of where you walk your pet is helpful, so you may want to avoid heavy canine trafficked areas or areas that are often damp. Try to be cognizant of picking up your dog’s feces as soon as possible to minimize the chance of spreading the pathogen.

Frequently Asked Questions

My dog has been diagnosed with Giardia, can I become infected?

Giardiasis is considered zoonotic in nature, meaning that an affected dog could potentially pass this pathogen on to people if it belonged to the correct assemblage. It is important to practice good hygiene to minimize the chances of infection, although transmission from dogs is uncommon.

Will my dog be able to recover from Giardia or is it life-threatening?

Fortunately, giardia is very treatable and rarely results in death. Patients who do succumb to this illness are generally geriatric, very young, or immunocompromised.

In Conclusion

While the giardia protozoan can cause gastrointestinal complications in our pets, it is fortunately very treatable. Dogs with giardiasis can experience dehydration, watery diarrhea, and may have weight loss. Your veterinarian will be able to help formulate a plan to help you cure your pet of this protozoal disease. Due to the zoonotic potential, special attention should be made to practicing good hygiene when handling a pet diagnosed with giardiasis.

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