Diseases

By, Hayden C, Javana M, Loften K, and Olivia P

Tick-borne Diseases of House Pets

*Denotes ability to infect humans

Cytauxzoonosis
Cytauxzoon felis This diseases is infectious to house cats. It is a disease more commonly found in areas such as South Central and Southeast United States. This disease is caused by the Lone Star Tick. There are treatment options but none have been 100% effective in all treated patients. Symptoms Anemia Depression High fever Difficulty breathing Jaundice

American Canine Hepatozoonosis

Hepatozoon americanum This disease is infectious to dogs. It is more commonly found in South Central and Southeastern United States. This disease is caused by the ingestion of the nymph or adult Gulf Coast Tick. There is currently no known treatment for infected dogs. Symptoms Periodic or persistent fever Weakness Muscle atrophy Generalized pain or hyperesthesia Reluctance to move Mucopurulent ocular discharge Gradual deterioration

Babesiosis*
Babesia canis The babesiosis diagnosis is caused by the Deer Tick nypmh. The protozoan organisms set themselves up in the red blood cells. The most common treatment in the United States is the antiprotozoal drug, Imidocarb dipropionate. Syptoms Fever Weakness Lethargy Pale gums Swollen lymph nodes Red or orange urine Anaemia

Tularemia*
Francisella tularensis Also known as rabbit fever, causes a bacteria carried by a few varieties of ticks in North America. The species that carry this disease include: the American Dog Tick, Lone Star Tick, and the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick. Cats are more affected by this condition than dogs. Symptoms
Fever Reduced appetite Tender abdomen Dehydration Jaundice Enlarged spleen and/or liver White patches or ulcers on tongue Enlarged lymph nodes Lethargy

Haemobartonellosis
Mycoplasm haemofelis /M. haemominutum

Symtoms
Depression Loss of appetite Dehydration Anemia Weight loss Pale mucous membranes Weakness Fast heart and respiratory rates Jaundice

This disease is transmitted by both ticks and fleas and caused by an organism that targets red blood cells in the affected animal, which leads to anemia and weakness. In cats, the condition is also known as feline infectious anemia. In dogs, the disease is usually not apparent unless the animal already has underlying issues.

Anaplasmosis*
Anaplasma phagocytophilum/A. marginal/A. platys

Symptoms
Rapid breathing Difficulty breathing Depression Dehydration Lameness Joint pain Vomiting Diarrhea Seizures Coughing

Deer Ticks and Western BlackLegged Ticks carry the bacteria that transmit canine anaplasmosis. Another form of anaplasmosis is carried by the Brown Dog Tick. Both dogs and cats are at risk for this condition.

Ehrlichiosis*
Erlichia canis/Anaplasma platys

Symptoms
Fever Lethargy Loss of appetite Weight loss Abnormal bleeding Enlarged lymph nodes Enlarged spleen Pain and stiffness Coughing Discharge from the eyes and/or nose Vomiting Diarrhea Inflammation of the eye

This disease is transmitted to dogs by the Brown Dog tick and the Lone Star Tick. A closely related infection affecting platelets is caused by a bacteria called Anaplasma platys and is sometimes referred to as Ehrlichiosis as well.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever*

Rickettsia rickettsii
This disease is common in dogs in the East, Midwest, and plains region of the U.S. Cats can also be infected with RMSF, but the chance is much lower. It is transmitted by the American Dog Tick and the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Tick. The tick must be attached to the dog or cat for at least 5 hours in order for transmission of the organism to occur.

Symptoms
Depression Lethargy Anorexia Bloody urine Arrhythmia Discolored spots Ataxia Edema (fluid retention) in the limbs Difficulty with blood clotting Swollen lymph nodes Pain in eyes Inflammation, hemorrhage, or conjunctivitis in the mucosal membranes

Lyme Disease*
Borrelia burgdorferi Deer ticks carry these bacteria, transmitting them to the animal while sucking its blood. The tick must be attached to the dog (or cat) for about 48 hours in order to transmit the bacteria to the bloodstream. There is no cure currently available. Symptoms Lameness Swollen joints Severe pain Heart block Kidney failure Neurological changes such as seizures and aggression

Tick Paralysis*
Neurotoxin of the Scrub Tick Ixodes holocyclus

The paralysis tick (or scrub tick) injects a poison into the system which progressively paralyses the host animal starting from the hind legs to the front legs.

Symptoms Inhalation pneumonia Vomiting Loss of appetite Paralysis Total organ failure

Tick-borne Diseases In Virginia

*Denotes diseases not limited to Virginia

Lyme Disease
(Borrelia burgdorferi)

*Lyme disease is only carried by the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis). Transmission in the nymph stage occurs during late spring into early summer. Infected adult ticks do not transmit the disease until the fall and winter. There has to be a 36 hour attachment period before the tick transmits the disease. Symptoms Include: a rash called erythema migrans (EM), which has a circular shaped and two inch diameter at site of infection, the disease may affect joints, nervous system, or heart. Symptoms that may appear with months or years if left untreated from a bite from an infected tick include nervous system problems or arthritis. If caught early it can be treated with antibiotics.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

(Rickettsia rickettsii)

The American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis) is the primary carrier of the disease. Nearly all cases occur in the spring and summer months. Between the third and fifth day after being infected a red, spotted rash may appear, beginning on the wrists and ankles appears. Spreading rapidly the rash goes from the palms of the hands to the soles of the feet. About only half of *RMSF patients develop a rash. Antibiotic treatment is used in treating RMSF.

Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis

(Ehrlichia muris) and (Anaplasma phagocytophilum)

In Virginia the most common tick related diseases are human monocytic *ehrlichiosis (HME) and human granulocytic *anaplasmosis (HGA). HME can only be transmitted by Lone Star Ticks in the adult stage. HGA can only be transmitted by the Black-Legged Tick in the nymph stage. Symptoms Include: fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and general discomfort. Illness can be severe - up to 3% of patients may die if not treated The most common treatment method are antibiotics.

Tularemia
(Francisella tularensis)

*Tularemia is a rare infectious disease that can attack the skin, eyes, lymph nodes, lungs and other internal organs. It is transmitted by the American Dog Tick and the Lone Star Tick. Symptoms Include: fever, chills, ulcers, exhaustion, headaches, swollen and painful lymph glands Tularemia can be effectively treated with antibiotics such as streptomycin or gentamicin, which are given by injection directly into a muscle or vein. Doctors may prescribe oral antibiotics such as doxycycline

Babesiosis
(Babesia microti)

*Babesiosis is only transmitted by the infected Black-Legged Tick. It is caused by a malaria-like parasite. Symtoms Include: fatigue, headache, drenching sweats, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, very low blood pressure, liver problems, jaundice, and severe hemolytic anemia. Babesiosis is treated with a combination of two types of anti-parasite drugs 1. Atovaquone 2. Erythromycin-type drug

Tick-borne Illnesses in the United States

Powassan
This disease is transmitted by the Black-Legged Tick, Woodchuck Tick or Squirrel Tick, in the northeastern U.S. and Great Lakes region. Signs and symptoms of infection can include fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, seizures, and memory loss. There is no specific treatment.

Rickettsia parkeri Rickettsiosis

This disease is transmitted to humans by the Gulf Coast Tick. Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. A petechial rash may be present, and frequently a distinctive eschar may develop at the site of a tick bite.

STARI (Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness)

This disease is transmitted by bites from the Lone Star Tick. It is found in the Southeastern U.S. Symptoms include fatigue, headache, fever, and muscle pains. A rash usually appears within 7 days of tick bite and expands to a diameter of 8 centimeters (3 inches) or more.

Tick-borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF)

Tick-borne relapsing fever occurs in the western United States and is usually linked to staying in rustic, rodent-infested cabins in mountainous areas. This disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected soft ticks. Symptoms include fever, body aches, muscle pain, joint pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, dry cough, light sensitivity, rash, neck pain, eye pain, confusion, and dizziness.

364D Rickettsiosis
This disease is transmitted to humans by the Pacific Coast Tick. It has been seen in California. Symptoms can include but arent limited to Lymphadenitis and/or lymphadenopathy, fatigue, fever, headache, and eschars. The main form of treatment is Doxycylcine

Worldwide Tick-borne Diseases

*Denotes diseases found in the United States

Hemorrhagic Fevers
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
Found in Eastern Europe, particularly in the former Soviet Union; in Northwestern China; Central Asia; Southern Europe; Africa; the Middle East; and the Indian subcontinent.

Omsk Hemorrhagic Fever (OHF)

Occurs in the Western Siberia regions of Omsk, Novosibirsk, Kurgan, and Tyumen. It may be also be acquired by direct contact with infected muskrats.

Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE)

Found in forested areas in Europe and Asia, Eastern France, Northern Japan and from Northern Russia to Albania. TBE is caused by TBE virus which is a flavivirus. TBE virus has three subtypes: European, Siberian, and Far Eastern. TBE virus is primarily transmitted to humans by infected ticks. It can also be acquired by ingesting unpasteurized dairy products from infected goats, sheep, or cows.

Kyasanur Forest Disease

Found in Southern India and is typically associated with exposure to ticks while harvesting forest products. Additionally, a similar virus has been described in Saudi Arabia (Alkhurma Hemorrhagic Fever Virus).

*Imported Tick-borne Spotted Fevers

Rickettsial infections have caused infection in returning travelers. In the U.S., the most frequently diagnosed disease with international travel is caused by Rickettsia africae (the agent of African spotted fever). Others Include:
Rickettsiosis African Tick- Bite fever Tasmania Fever Mediterranean Spotted Fever or Boutonneuse Fever Far Eastern Spotted Fever Aneruptive Fever Flinders Island Spotted Fever Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever North Asian Tick Typhus, Siberian Tick Typhus

*Lyme Disease
It can be contracted in temperate forested regions throughout Europe and Northern Asia. It is more common in Eastern and Central Europe than in Western Europe. In contrast to North America, Lyme disease can be caused by several different species of Borrelia burgdorferi and may have somewhat different symptoms.