Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How to protect dogs from tick-borne diseases
Authored by veterinary researchers·Published in Companion Animal·2013·View original on Crossref →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Preventing tick-borne disease
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that many dogs in the UK, about 15%, were unknowingly infested with ticks, which can carry Lyme disease. This disease is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi and can affect both pets and humans. The number of cases has been rising significantly, making it crucial for pet owners to protect their dogs from ticks. To help prevent tick-borne diseases, it's recommended to avoid areas where ticks are common, regularly use tick prevention products, and consider vaccination against Lyme disease.
People also search for: dog tick prevention · Lyme disease vaccine for dogs · how to remove ticks from dogs
Abstract
Introduction: A study has shown that, unknown to their owners, 15% of dogs presenting at veterinary practices in the UK were infested with ticks ( Smith et al, 2011 ). It has also been estimated that one in 200 dogs was carrying a borrelia-infected tick ( Smith et al, 2012 ). Borrelia burgdorferi causes Lyme disease, the most common vector-borne disease affecting humans and pets in Europe, with over 65 000 human cases reported annually ( Rizzoli et al, 2011 ). Its prevalence is reported to be increasing and, in the UK, rates have risen by over 350% between 2001 and 2011 ( Health Protection Agency, 2013 ). The risk of tick-borne disease is likely to be higher than previously thought, so it is more important than ever for pets to be protected against ticks and associated disease (Anon, 2012). Preventative measures include avoiding high-risk areas, regular application of an acaricide and vaccination against Lyme disease.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.12968/coan.2013.18.7.314