Encephalitis in dogs is a viral disease caused by the bite of an ixodid tick. It is characterized by damage to the brain and spinal cord, central nervous system. It manifests itself in the form of fever, and in the last stages leads to complete paralysis of the animal. In advanced stages, it is rarely treatable and almost always leads to the death or euthanasia of a beloved pet.
Territories of outbreaks
Tick-borne encephalitis in dogs was first discovered in the Far East, in the taiga region. Today, the foci of the spread of the disease are forests in Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast, Sakhalin), Ukraine (Transcarpathia), Belarus (in all regions). Ixodid ticks also live in Estonia, Lithuania, and Kazakhstan.
Wild forest vertebrates and arthropods can also be carriers of the virus. On small rodents, ticks multiply, the larvae of which can parasitize on their skin for a long time. Disease cases are increasingly recorded in Australia, Hungary, China, Sweden, Finland.
About 14 species of ixodid ticks are carriers of the encephalitis virus (Ix. Ricinus, Ix. Trianguliceps, Ix. Gibbosus, Haemaphysalis japonica, Dermatocentor silvarum). The most dangerous species of epidemiological significance and causing encephalitis in dogs are Ix. Persulcatus, living in Asia, as well as Ix. Ricinus, living mainly in European countries.
Reproduction of the virus in the blood of a tick
Ticks are not without reason that they transmit the disease, because it is in their body that the virus multiplies most intensively, since it is a favorable environment for their life. After a month after infection, the tick in his blood already contains 1000 times a large concentration of the pathogen. But already on the 6th day, the virus penetrates all the organs of the insect. The largest number of viruses accumulates in the salivary glands, in the genital area and in the intestines. Ticks are capable of transmitting the virus to their offspring.
Dogs suffer from encephalitis, becoming infected by tick bites that feed on the blood of vertebrates. It is from the salivary glands that the virus easily enters the bloodstream, causing inflammation. Only adults are attacking animals and people.
Danger of encountering a tick
Ticks can be found on a walk with a dog: at the edges of the forest, clearings, along trails. Outbreaks of diseases are recorded in the warm season, when the activity of the insect is increased.
The bloodsucker saliva contains an anesthetic substance, so the dog does not feel a bite, and the tick can calmly eat for 4-6 days before it is detected. But even with short-term suction, the virus manages to penetrate the blood. But the main cause of the disease are numerous bites of several ticks at once. Within an hour after sucking in the saliva of a bloodsucker, the same concentration of the virus is formed as in the entire body.
Another extremely unpleasant moment is that it is very difficult to notice an insect in dogs with long and thick hair, since the ability of a tick to climb into the most secluded corners is phenomenal.
Encephalitis in Dogs: Symptoms
Symptoms of the disease may be as follows:
- fever;
- darkening of the color of urine ;
- refusal of food;
- in places of bites erythema develop;
- yellowing of the mucous membranes;
- weakness;
- cramps
- an increase in the size of the spleen and liver;
- tremor;
- loss of interest in the outside world;
- hypersensitivity of the neck and head;
- impaired motor function;
- blindness;
- paralysis.
The virus through the blood very quickly enters the brain, affecting the nerve cells of the spinal cord, cervical spine. Accumulating gradually, it causes inflammatory processes in the meninges and blood vessels.
Signs of encephalitis in dogs can appear suddenly, 2-3 weeks after a bite, this is how long the incubation period can last .
Proper tick extraction
If a tick sticks to the skin of a dog, it is advisable to extract the insect in a veterinary clinic. But when there is no way to get to the doctor, you can do it yourself using the following algorithm of actions:
- reassure the dog;
- restrict the movement of the animal;
- with tweezers to grasp the protruding back of the tick;
- with a twisting motion, gently remove the insect.
A tick should not be thrown away. It may be useful for research on the carriage of the encephalitis virus. It is better to place it in a glass jar, tightly closing the lid, so that you can send it to the laboratory as soon as possible.
For diagnosis using a microscope, it is necessary to deliver a living insect to the laboratory. To keep the tick alive, put cotton wool moistened with water in a container. In large cities, there are methods for recognizing viral carriage using highly sensitive PCR tests that allow you to use any material to detect the virus, up to fragments of tick paws.
It should be borne in mind that it is necessary to show the dog to the doctor as soon as possible in order to diagnose or eliminate tick-borne encephalitis at the very beginning.
Diagnostic Methods
Signs of encephalitis in dogs appear when treatment may already be ineffective. That is why you should show the animal to the veterinarian immediately when a tick is found on his skin.
A qualified veterinarian may suspect tick-borne encephalitis in dogs during a visual examination. Symptoms for an experienced doctor may be noticeable several days after a tick bite. Which, of course, is not a reason to start treatment without an accurate diagnosis.
For diagnosis, a biochemical and general blood test, its microscopic examination are carried out. However, antibodies against the virus can be detected in the blood no earlier than 10 days after the bite. Radiography (craniography) or an ultrasound scan of the dog’s head can also be used to detect changes in the brain. Only making the right diagnosis in time will help save the life of a pet through proper treatment of the disease.
The dog must be examined for borreliosis or Lyme disease, pyroplasmosis, which also carry ixodid ticks in order to exclude all possible infections.
Pet treatment
Unfortunately, it is too late to recognize the disease so that it is possible to predict recovery and successfully cure tick-borne encephalitis in dogs. Symptoms in most cases appear even when it is too late to do anything. The only humane solution is to rid the beloved friend of torment by putting him to sleep.
But sometimes it is possible to diagnose the disease on time. For treatment, antibiotics based on cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones intravenously are used. They act well on the virus, destroying the blood-brain barrier of cells, "Isoniazid", "Rifampicin".
Additionally, the dog is prescribed corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, allergic reactions and eliminate neurological disorders. As well as drugs that reduce intracranial pressure in a dog.
The treatment regimen and dosage should be prescribed only by an experienced veterinarian! Wrongly selected drugs can not only not cure encephalitis in dogs, but also significantly aggravate the animal’s health and lead to death. The course of treatment is at least 3 months.
Dog vaccination
Dogs are not vaccinated against encephalitis, as they have not yet been able to come up with an effective vaccine against the disease. There is hope that in the future, scientists will still be able to create an effective drug that prevents the development of infection.
Disease prevention
The only effective method is timely protection against attack and tick bites:
- treatment of dogs with insecticide drops (protection 2-4 weeks);
- the use of insect-acaricidal collars (valid for several months).
Another important point is the regular thorough check of the skin of the dog after each walk. Particular attention should be paid to the neck, ears, armpit area and other inaccessible places.
The health and life of the pet is in the hands of its owner. Caring for an animal is manifested not only in providing its needs for food, walking and scratching behind the ear, but also in the timely prevention of dangerous diseases, in protecting the dog from blood-sucking pests, especially encephalitis ticks.
It is much easier to prevent tick-borne encephalitis in dogs than to watch the suffering of an animal during illness with pangs of conscience. Prevention is the main rule of maintaining the health of the pet, which will repay its owner with affection, devotion and selfless love, will always be cheerful and happy.