Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Understanding and Prevent
What is Canine Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)?
Canine Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is most commonly seen during the peak activity of ticks, which is typically in the spring and summer months. Dogs that are at a higher risk include those under four years of age and large breed dogs, primarily because they tend to spend more time outdoors. Purebred dogs may exhibit RMSF symptoms more readily than mixed breeds after infection, and German Shepherds may have an increased risk compared to other breeds.
If a dog is actively infected with RMSF, any organ in the body can potentially be affected.
Symptoms of Canine Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
The symptoms of RMSF in dogs may include:
Fever, often above 104 degrees Fahrenheit
Depression
Loss of appetite
Lymphadenopathy, or swelling of lymph nodes throughout the body
Subcutaneous hemorrhages, or spots of bleeding under the skin
Uveitis, an inflammation of the inner part of the eye
Joint swelling or pain
Diagnosis of Canine Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Veterinary care should include diagnostic tests to identify the underlying cause and guide treatment recommendations. These tests may include:
Complete blood count
Biochemical analysis
Urinalysis
Complement fixation test
Indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) testing
Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test
Treatment for Canine Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
1. Depending on the severity of the infection and clinical symptoms, the affected pet may need to be hospitalized for several days.
2. Tetracycline antibiotics (such as doxycycline or tetracycline) or chloramphenicol are the firstline antibiotics for treating rickettsial diseases.
3. Intravenous fluids may be necessary to treat pets with active vomiting, dehydration due to vomiting, or evidence of kidney dysfunction caused by RMSF.
4. Colloids can be used to prevent edema in pets with low blood protein levels.
5. Plasma may be necessary for pets with abnormal bleeding or low blood protein levels.
6. Nutritional support may be required for pets that have not eaten for several days or are vomiting for an extended period.
Home Care and Prevention of Canine Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
1. Follow your veterinarian's instructions for antibiotic use strictly. Antibiotic treatment typically lasts 23 weeks. It's crucial to complete the entire course of medication as prescribed, as stopping too early can lead to a recurrence of the infection.
2. If administering the medication is difficult, or if the antibiotic causes nausea or vomiting in your pet, contact your veterinarian immediately.
3. There is currently no vaccine for RMSF. Infected pets can develop immunity to reinfection for up to 9 to 12 months. Regularly check your pet for ticks when they come indoors, especially during spring and summer when ticks are most active. Remove ticks from your pet immediately upon discovery. Rickettsiainfected ticks must be attached for 5 to 20 hours to transmit the disease to your pet. If the tick is removed before this time, transmission will not occur.
4. Be cautious when removing ticks from your pet to avoid exposing yourself. Wear gloves or use tweezers to prevent the tick's fluids from contacting any skin abrasions. If your yard is heavily infested with ticks, consider using environmental sprays to control tick populations.
5. Use oral or topical tick prevention medications to prevent and kill ticks before they harm your pet.
