Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a tick-borne disease that affects humans and dogs. Tick-borne means that the disease is carried and transmitted through a tick bite. In the US, the American dog tick, and the Rocky Mountain tick are types of ticks that carry and transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever. This disease is most commonly seen in the Southeastern United States, but can occur in any state, Canada, Mexico, and Central and South America.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is diagnosed most frequently between April and October when tick population are at their highest. Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be fatal if not treated.

SOURCE & CAUSE(S)

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused when ticks that are carrying a bacteria known as Rickettsia reckettsii, bites your dog, thus transferring the bacteria into the bloodstream.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Rocky Mountain spotted fever affects multiple symptoms in your dog, and most symptoms will start to appear 3-10 days after a tick bite.

There are two stages of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Subclinical stage: A dog can be infected but will not be showing any outward signs or symptoms. However if lab work is performed, abnormalities will appear. Dogs that are infected with Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the subclinical stage generally recover from the disease quickly.
Acute stage: A dog in the acute stage of Rocky Mountain spotted fever will be showing any combination of the common signs and symptoms associated with this disease. These include the following:

• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Pain in muscles and joints
• Depression
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Edema – Fluid accumulation in the face and legs.
• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Vomiting
• Blood in the stool
• Dizziness
• Ataxia - Inability to walk normally or loss of coordination
• Seizures
• Nose bleeds
• Retina bleeding
• Blood in the urine
• Pinpoint bruises that appear on lining of the eyelids and mouth.
• Irregular heart beat (arrhythmia)
• Difficulty with blood clotting, which can lead to shock or death

DIAGNOSIS & TESTS

Diagnosis begins with a complete history and a physical exam. Your veterinarian will be most likely do the following:

• History - Your veterinarian will likely inquire about recent tick exposure and bite history.
• CBC/Chemistry Panel - These blood tests will evaluate various internal organ functions, including the heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas, metabolism, and electrolyte balance. The CBC is a measure the amount and different kinds of red and white blood cells are present in your pet’s body.
• Skin biopsies – Samples from the affected areas are examined for antibody levels. If there is a heightened antibody count this indicates the disease is present. This test can take up to three weeks to complete, treatment should be started while awaiting results.

TREATMENT & MANAGEMENT

Your veterinarian will most likely start your dog on antibiotics as soon as he/she suspects that Rocky Mountain spotted fever is present. The antibiotics Tetracycline, Doxycycline, or Enrofloxacin are most commonly used. Supportive care is sometimes necessary depending on what stage of the disease is present.

PREVENTION & HELPFUL TIPS

Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be prevented by preventing tick exposure for you dog. Your veterinarian should already be recommending a monthly flea and tick preventive with their healthy pet programs. Some common preventive products include Bio Spot-Spot On for Dogs, K9 Advantix for Dogs, and Frontline Top Spot. Revolution, which contains selamectin, is a monthly topical product that controls American Dog Ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) only.