Overview
Rocky Mountain fleck febricity ( RMSF ) is a tickborne disease . It was first reveal in Native Americans , soldier , and settlers in the Western United States in the 1890s . By the mid-1900s , the condition was the most common and knockout human tickborne disease in the United States .
However , it was not until the 1970s , however , that veterinarians realize this stipulation in dogs .
ticking that spread out this infection survive throughout the country , make this condition a far-flung threat .
What is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
Rocky Mountain spot febricity in dogs is a tick - borne bacterial infection that may make a wide range of clinical signs . Some infected dogs remain completely asymptomatic , mean they show no signs of the transmission . Other dogs , however , may develop fatal multi - system electric organ loser .
Although many animal specie can become septic with Rocky Mountain spotted pyrexia , only Canis familiaris and humans arise clinical signs of disease .
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is not the same as Colorado Tick Fever ( CTF ) , which is a viral tick - borne disease .
Is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Contagious?
human being can not catch Rocky Mountain spotted fever direct from an infected dog . It can not be passed from andiron to dog or from dogs to other pets .
However , if your dog becomes infected , this indicates that Rocky Mountain fleck feverishness is present in your area and you are also at risk of concentrate the contagion .
WhatCausesRocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Dogs?
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a bacterial infection spread through check mark bites , by passing the bacteriumRickettsia rickettsii .
ticking species that get Rocky Mountain fleck fever in dog include :
Ticks become septic with the bacteria after feeding on an infected brute ( often a rabbit or rodent ) . Once infected , they broadcast the infection to Canis familiaris or humans when feeding .
If a check mark carrying Rocky Mountain spotted fever raciness you or your dog , signs of illness typically prepare within two weeks of the insect bite .
Where is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Found?
Rocky Mountain recognize febrility is found throughout North America , Central America , and South America .
In the United States , the disease is most common in the Mid - Atlantic , Southeast , Midwest , and westerly regions .
grant to statistic from the Centers for Disease Control , over 60 per centum of human cases of Rocky Mountain descry fever in the United States come from just five states ( 1 ):
Cases of Rocky Mountain spotted pyrexia occur year - orotund . Higher numbers of case happen in the warmer months , from March through November , typically peaking in June and July . This seasonal variation follows increases and decreases in tick activity .
Symptomsof Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Dogs
symptom of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in dogs may vary significantly , depending on the ducky ’s overall wellness , immune organization , and how quickly veterinarians treat and name the experimental condition .
In the early stage of infection , blackguard typically show shadowy signs of illness that can not be directly link to any specific cause . These signs may include febrility , failing , decreased appetence , generalized pain or discomfort , and vomiting .
As the disease move on , more serious star sign may be seeable . Rocky Mountain spot feverishness affect the rampart of the stemma vessel . Therefore , it causes a wide variety of signs , look on the stirred body part .
preindication of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in dogs are divided into several categories :
Nonspecific signs
Skin abnormality
Respiratory issues
circulative abnormality
middle trouble
Neurologic abnormalities
None of these symptom are specific to Rocky Mountain distinguish febrility . Therefore , a veterinarian require to perform diagnostic examination to determine the cause of a dog ’s illness .
Diagnosisof Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain spy fever is challenging to name , because clinical signs are extremely variable . Your veterinarian will likely execute multiple test before arriving at a diagnosing .
The first footmark is a complete blood cell count ( CBC ) and serum biochemistry , which analyzes the unclouded pale scandalmongering liquid within a dog ’s blood telephone serum .
The blood serum biochemistry in a dog with Rocky Mountain spot febricity may be normal or unnatural , depending on the affected physical structure systems . The CBC , however , often betoken towards the diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever .
Abnormalities in a dog ’s CBC may admit :
If your veterinarian suspects Rocky Mountain blob fever , he or she will conduct further testing to confirm the diagnosing .
Rocky Mountain spotted feverishness has two specific trial :
Serology – This is a examination that looks for antibodies that the consistency makes to fight Rocky Mountain spotted feverishness . These antibodies are present in the blood within 7 - 10 day of infection and persist for a long prison term . After an initial serology test , another one may be necessary 2 - 3 week later to see if there has been a meaning rise in the antibody levels .
Polymerase chain of mountains response ( PCR ) testing – This test looks for the presence of literal bacterium within the body . The advantage of this test is that a individual incontrovertible test is adequate to make a diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in dogs . The disadvantage , however , is that this trial is not very sensitive and may miss some cases .
Your vet may hint performing serology and PCR simultaneously , to increase the chance of get an accurate diagnosing .
Treatmentof Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is treated with antibiotics . Several different antibiotics treat this transmission , although Vibramycin is used most commonly .
In spartan cases , extra therapy may be needed . Dogs may be hospitalise for endovenous fluids and injectable antibiotics if they are vomiting or severely desiccate .
In some frump , widespread fervour associated with Rocky Mountain spotted fever veterinary surgeon may use prednisone or other steroids .
Severely anaemic frank may necessitate a line transfusion .
Recovery and Prognosis
In cosmopolitan , dogs improve quickly with treatment . Dogs often start to feel better within as little as 24 - 48 hours and laboratory abnormalities typically resolve within two hebdomad .
If veterinarians catch and plow Rocky Mountain spotted pyrexia early on , the prognosis is fantabulous . Most hound will have womb-to-tomb exemption after infection .
Prognosis is guarded if there is retard treatment and a dog fare in critically ill .
Medication for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
The most common antibiotic used to deal Rocky Mountain spotted fever in click is Vibramycin . favorite parents administer it orally , as a tablet or capsule , once or doubly daily for 21 daylight .
Side effects include sickness and vomiting , although devote the medication with food can derogate these effects .
Alternative antibiotics ( if Vibramycin is unavailable ) include
Cost to Treat Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
The costs of treating Rocky Mountain spotted fever variegate , depending on the severeness of illness , the bounder ’s size , regional price variations , and other constituent .
In a dog diagnosed too soon in the course of disease , you could expect to pay the followers :
If dogs postulate aggressive treatment , costs may be significantly higher . You may spend thousands of dollars for hospitalization , intravenous fluids , and other supportive care .
For this reason , it ’s significant to take your dog to the veterinarian promptly if you see star sign of unwellness .
How to PreventRocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Dogs
To prevent your andiron from sign on Rocky Mountain spotted fever , use tick bar year - orotund . check that you ’re following drug instructions according to the manufacturer ’s good word .
Even dog living in urban areas should invite regular tick bar , because urban gnawer and other wildlife can act as a host for ticks and Rocky Mountain spotted fever .
A number of effective tick prevention are available , including topical product and oral medications . blab to your veterinarian to mold the best check prevention for your dog .
You should also learn your bounder for ticks after spending fourth dimension in the wood or other gamy - risk areas such as high gage .
Remove tick by using tweezer to get the picture the tick near your click ’s cutis and firmly pull the tick out . Veterinarians do not typically recommend antibiotic for a single check mark bite . Talk to your veterinary surgeon if you are in a eminent - peril area .
