Tick-borne encephalitis in dogs: symptoms, signs

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Encephalitis in dogs is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of an ixodid tick. It is characterized by damage to the brain and spinal cord, the 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.

Outbreak areas

Tick-borne encephalitis in dogs was first discovered in the Far East, in the taiga region. Today, the centers of the spread of the disease are the forests of Russia (Kaliningrad region, Sakhalin), Ukraine (Transcarpathia), Belarus (in all regions). Ixodid ticks also live in Estonia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan.

Wild forest vertebrates and arthropods can also be carriers of the virus. On small rodents, ticks reproduce, the larvae of which can parasitize on their skin for a long time. Cases of diseases are increasingly recorded in Australia, Hungary, China, Sweden, Finland.

About 14 species of ixodid ticks are carriers of the virusencephalitis (Ix. ricinus, Ix. trianguliceps, Ix. gibbosus, Haemaphysalis japonica, Dermatocentor silvarum). The most dangerous species of epidemiological significance and causing encephalitis in dogs are considered to be Ix. Persulcatus, found in Asia, as well as Ix. Ricinus, predominantly found in European countries.

Reproduction of the virus in the blood of a tick

Ticks are not without reason carriers of 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 of the tick, its blood already contains 1000 times the concentration of the pathogen. But already on the 6th day, the virus penetrates into all organs of the insect. The greatest number of viruses accumulates in the salivary glands, in the area of the gonads and in the intestines. Ticks are able to transmit the virus to their offspring.

Dogs get encephalitis from the bites of ticks that feed on the blood of vertebrates. It is from the salivary glands that the virus easily enters the bloodstream, causing inflammation. Only adults attack animals and people.

Danger of meeting with a tick

Ticks can be found on a walk with a dog: on the edges of the forest, glades, along the trails. Outbreaks of diseases are recorded in the warm season, when the activity of the insect is increased.

The saliva of a bloodsucker contains an anesthetic substance, so the dog does not feel the bite, and the tick can safely eat for 4-6 days before it is detected. Buteven with a short suction, the virus manages to penetrate into the blood. But the main cause of the disease is the numerous bites of several ticks at once. Within an hour after suction, the same concentration of virus is formed in the bloodsucker's saliva as in his entire body.

Another extremely annoying point is that it is very difficult to notice the insect in dogs with long and thick hair, as the ability of the tick to climb into the most secluded corners is phenomenal.

Encephalitis in dogs: symptoms

Symptoms of the disease can be as follows:

• fever;
• darkening urine color;
• refusing food;
• erythema develops at bite sites;
• yellowing of mucous membranes;
• weakness;
• convulsions;
• enlarged spleen and liver;
• tremor;
• loss of interest in the outside world;
• increased sensitivity of the neck and head area;
• impaired motor function;
• blindness;
• paralysis.

The virus through the blood very quickly enters the brain, affecting the nerve cells of the spinal cord, cervical. Gradually accumulating, it causes inflammation in the meninges and blood vessels.

Signs of encephalitis in dogs can appear suddenly, 2-3 weeks after the bite, which is how long the incubation period can last.

Proper removal of the tick

When a sucker is detectedIt is advisable to extract the tick from the skin of a dog 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:

• calm down the dog;
• restrict animal movement;
• using tweezers to grab the protruding back of the tick;
• gently remove the insect with twisting movements.

Tick should not be thrown away. It can be useful for research on carriage of the encephalitis virus. It is better to place it in a glass jar with a tight lid to send it to the laboratory as soon as possible.

For diagnostics using a microscope, it is necessary to deliver a live insect to the laboratory. In order for the tick to remain alive, put a cotton swab moistened with water in a container. In large cities, there are methods for detecting viral carriage using highly sensitive PCR tests that allow using any material to detect the virus, up to fragments of tick legs.

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 at the very beginning or exclude tick-borne encephalitis.

Diagnostic Methods

Signs of encephalitis in dogs appear when treatment may no longer be effective. That is why you should show the animal to the veterinarian as soon as a tick is found on its skin.

A qualified veterinarian may suspect tick-borne encephalitis in dogs by visual inspection. Symptoms for an experienced doctor may be noticeable a few days after a tick bite. Which, of course, is not yet a reason to start treatment without making 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. X-rays (craniography) or ultrasound diagnostics of the dog's head can also be used to detect changes in the brain. Only making the correct diagnosis in time will help save the life of a pet through the correct treatment of the disease.

The dog should be examined for borreliosis or Lyme disease, piroplasmosis, which also carry ixodid ticks, in order to rule out all possible infections.

Pet treatment

Unfortunately, the disease is recognized too late to predict recovery and successfully treat tick-borne encephalitis in dogs. Symptoms in most cases appear already when it is too late to do anything. The only humane solution is to save a beloved friend from suffering by putting him to sleep.

But sometimes it is possible to diagnose the disease in time. Antibiotics based on cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones intravenously are used for treatment. Good effect on the virus, destroying the blood-brain barrier of cells, "Isoniazid", "Rifampicin".

Additionally, corticosteroids are prescribed to the dog to reduce inflammation, allergic reaction and eliminate neurologicaldisorders. As well as drugs that reduce intracranial pressure in dogs.

The treatment regimen and dosage of drugs should be prescribed only by an experienced veterinarian! Incorrectly selected drugs can not only not cure encephalitis in dogs, but also significantly aggravate the he alth of the animal and lead to death. The course of treatment is at least 3 months.

Dog vaccination

Vaccination against encephalitis is not done for dogs, as no effective vaccine against the disease has yet been invented. 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 attacks and tick bites:

• treatment of dogs with insecticidal drops (protection 2-4 weeks);
• use of insecticide-acaricidal collars (valid for several months).

Also an important point is the regular thorough check of the dog's skin after each walk. Particular attention should be paid to the neck, ears, underarms and other hard-to-reach places.

The he alth and life of a pet is in the hands of its owner. Caring for an animal is manifested not only in providing for 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 mites.

Preventing tick-borne encephalitis in dogs is much easier than watching the suffering of an animal during an illness with pangs of conscience. Prevention is the main rule for maintaining the he alth of a pet that will repay its owner with affection, devotion and selfless love, and will always be cheerful and happy.