| The brush and jungle surrounding the beaches of Guiones, Pelada and Samara are writhing with hundreds of thousands of ticks. These tiny insects burrow their way beneath the skin of furry animals and pose a major threat. |
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Animal experts in the Nosara and surrounding districts are warning pet owners of an outbreak of canine ehrlichosis, better known as tick fever. According to Dr. Enrique Delgado, a vet who services the Nicoya and Nosara districts, the prevalence of ehrlichiosis in Costa Rica is extremely high.
"The rate is particularly high in the pacific coast of our country, recorded data indicates a disease prevalence of 40 to 60 per cent in dogs, however the daily experience in the clinics shows the infection rate could well reach 80 to 90 per cent in certain areas," said Dr. Delgado.
The warm, humid climate along with an environment conducive to reproduction makes Guanacaste the perfect breeding ground for a healthy population of ticks.
Dr. Carl Wells, of Nosara Animal Clinic's board of directors suggests free wandering dogs are much more likely to encounter ticks. He attributes the high rate of canine infection to the high population of ticks, the large open spaces available to dogs and the freedom granted to the area's dogs by pet owners and community members. |
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Symptoms
• Lack of energy
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Bleeding from nose
• Blood in urine or stools
• Swollen legs
• Discomfort in joints
• Problems with eyes
Prevention
• Keep dogs on leash, prevent free roaming
• Daily, thorough inspection
• Collars & Sprays with active ingredient Amitraz
• Dectomax injections
• Skin products; Frontline or Advantix
• Regular check-ups and blood tests
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Human Health
It is not just canine health we have to be worried about when it comes to ticks. According to Dr. Delgado Ehrlichia canis can also infect humans. Transmission occurs through tick bite and symptoms can range from flue like to signs similar to those with a dengue hemorrhagic fever. Those most susceptible to the illness are children, elderly and those persons with weakened immune systems.
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"There is no vaccine for ehrlichosis which means tick control is the cornerstone to prevention of the disease," said Dr. Wells.
If your pet already has tick fever it is important to know what to look for. Detection of canine ehrlichiosis can be difficult. The disease has three distinct stages. The initial infection or acute phase occurs between seven to 22 days after contact.
During this initial phase you may notice your pet is experiencing a general depression and lack of appetite. A subclinical, or silent stage, follows. During this phase there are no visible symptoms and it can last for months or even years. The third and final stage is referred to as the chronic stage. During this phase many complications may arise; from kidney failure, bleeding, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, bone marrow suppression to stroke. At this stage treatment is extremely complicated and the survival rate is low.
"As a general rule the rate of successful treatment is higher the earlier the diagnosis and it decreases dramatically as the disease progresses," said Delgado. "This is serious; if we have dogs at home they should get the care they need to keep them happy and healthy so we deserve to enjoy their companionship and love."
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