Tularemia Impact in Canines
In the world of pet care, understanding and managing potential health risks is crucial. One such risk is canine tularemia, a serious bacterial infection that can affect dogs. Here's what you need to know about preventing and treating this zoonotic disease.
Prevention is Key
To prevent canine tularemia, focus on effective tick control and avoidance of exposure to infected wildlife and environments. This includes:
- Regular use of veterinarian-recommended flea and tick preventatives like oral medications (e.g., NexGard, Bravecto), topical treatments (e.g., Frontline Plus), or tick-repellent products safe for dogs.
- Regularly checking your dog for ticks and promptly removing any found.
- Limiting your dog's access to areas where tularemia is more prevalent, such as marshy or wet environments, and discouraging them from hunting or scavenging small wild animals.
Prompt Treatment is Essential
Tularemia is treated with fast-acting antibiotics effective against Francisella tularensis, the bacteria causing the infection. Commonly used antibiotics include doxycycline and enrofloxacin. Supportive care such as fluid therapy to maintain hydration and monitor organ function (spleen and liver involvement is common) is also crucial. Inpatient care may be necessary due to the severity and systemic nature of the infection.
Recognising the Signs
If your dog shows any signs of tularemia, such as fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, enlarged/swollen lymph nodes, draining skin wounds, dehydration, increased salivation (drooling), vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, conjunctivitis (pinkeye), discharge from eyes, nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, oral ulcers, seek veterinary care immediately.
Diagnosis and Incubation Period
Tularemia is often diagnosed with blood antibody tests or PCR testing. The incubation period for tularemia in dogs is approximately 3-5 days.
It's important to note that while tularemia can be a serious threat to dogs, the prognosis is generally good, with most infected dogs surviving treatment. However, hospitalization may be required for systemic support.
Tularemia has been reported in every U.S. state except for Hawaii, as well as Canada, Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. Dogs can become infected through eating an infected rabbit or rodent, bite or scratch from an infected animal, or bite from blood-sucking pests like fleas, ticks, or biting flies. Contact with infected wildlife is the most common source of tularemia in dogs.
In a study of 88 dogs, less than half of infected dogs required hospitalization, and all infected dogs survived treatment. Always consult your veterinarian for tailored advice and treatment options.
[1] Kwit, Natalie A et al. "Francisella tularensis infection in dogs: 88 cases (2014-2016)." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association vol. 256,2 (2020): 220-225. doi:10.2460/javma.256.2.220
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