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October 2008

BLOOD  PARASITE SCREENING

 The staff at Veterinarian Associates Stonefield has taken another step

forward to assure the health of your pet.   Every year we recommend testing

your dog for Heartworm disease which is caused by the common mosquito and

can be deadly if not caught  in the early stages of the infection.   Now we

are also testing for two more infectious agents that can harm your beloved

pet which are both caused by common ticks that live and thrive in our

region.

Borreliosis, also known as Lyme disease, is an organism (Borrelia

burgdorferi) carried by the very common deer tick (Ixodes  dammini).   This

tiny little organism can cause big problems in your dog.  Lameness,

anorexia, high fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and severe weight loss are some

of the clinical signs seen with this infection.  Borrelia can also

infiltrate the kidneys, heart  or neurological system.   Kidney infection

with Borrelia is the second most common canine syndrome and is often fatal.

Although the topical flea and tick products widely available today help in

the prevention of  ticks living on your pet they do not prevent the tick

from biting your pet  (the tick will most likely die after the blood meal is

taken but the organism can be transported in that one tick bite).   Now we

can test for Lyme disease in the same test we use for Heartworm screening!

Ehrlichiosis is the third disease we can now test for in one combined simple

test.  This infection is caused by the organism Ehrlichia canis  which is

transmitted by the common brown tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus).

Ehrlichia causes very similiar clinical signs as Lyme disease, however,

Ehrlichia causes a significant decrease in platelets (the blood cell that

helps slow down   bleeding).   Without sufficient amount of platelets the

body can not stop a bleeding incident.   Ehrlichia also causes problems in

the bone marrow, which results in the inability to fight simple infections.

Now we can detect Ehrlichia early before these detrimental infections occur.

Therefore, when you bring your dog into Veterinarian Associates Stonefield

for a heartworm test, on your receipt you will see the phrase Blood Parasite

Screen reflecting the improved testing to keep your dog healthy.

Author: Karen Lazas, D.V.M