tick borne diseases Archives

22/Sep/2020

When it comes to travelling, it’s all about looking for products that are convenient AND keep our pets safe. We’ve compared a few popular parasite treatments currently available, which have the best effect on our target parasites, to help you decide on which one suits your dog best.

Which parasites are a risk for my dog?

The most important parasites to cover whilst travelling are Heartworm and Paralysis Ticks, as they can be deadly and may not be part of your usual preventative regime if you don’t live in these areas. Brown dog ticks transmit the bacteria causing Ehrlichiosis, found in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland (see our article on Ehrlichia). Generally, all dogs should use a preventative for fleas and intestinal worms year-round regardless of location (roundworm, hookworm and Hydatid tapeworm can be passed to people). Hydatid tapeworm is a risk for dogs eating raw meat or offal, and Tasmania requires dogs to be treated before travel to our island state (see our article on Travel to Tasmania). Mites can be an occasional issue, whilst Sarcoptic mange is more likely if your dog is exploring areas with foxes and wombats and can also be passed to people.

How reliable are parasite preventative medications?

It is important to recognise that preventative products are not a guarantee, especially with parasites like the Paralysis Tick. All dogs travelling or living in a Tick area should be checked daily (at a minimum) for ticks – see our Tick Check Guide for further information. The majority of preventative treatments only kill the tick after it has attached, so the sooner a tick is removed the less chance there is of infections or other complications. In WA, the NT and now Queensland, Ehrlichia is transmitted from Brown Dog Ticks to dogs in a shorter time than spot-ons or chews can act, so the Seresto collar is recommended as it repels and kills ticks on contact before they can attach.

Ensuring that preventative treatments are repeated as recommended is imperative to their success. Monthly treatments must be given exactly monthly (within a 2-3 day window). We know that time flies and treatments can be easily forgotten when busy or travelling so choosing a longer term option may suit better in many circumstances for optimum health, convenience and peace of mind. Studies have shown the injectable heartworm treatment, Proheart SR12, to be the most effective heartworm preventative, both due to it’s ongoing long-term action as well as the susceptibility of heartworm to it’s active ingredient.

Likewise, choosing between an oral, spot-on, collar or injectable treatment depends on your dog’s lifestyle as well as the parasites being targeted. For example, if your dog loves swimming then a spot-on treatment is less likely to be as effective as an oral or injectable one (Seresto collars are waterproof so can, and should, be left on whilst swimming or bathing).

Product	Bravecto spot-on	Bravecto chew	Nexguard Spectra chew	Simparica Trio chew	Seresto collar	Advantix spot-on	ProHeart SR12 injection	Milbemax tablet	Drontal chew
Heartworm
Fleas	(5-6 months)	(3 months)			(8 months)
Paralysis Ticks	(5-6 months)	(3-4 months)			(4 months)
Brown Dog Ticks	(3 months)	(2 months)			(4 months)
Mosquitoes Sandflies Stableflies						(repels and kills)
Lice
Ear Mites
Sarcoptes Mites
Demodex Mites
Roundworm
Hookworm							(4 months)
Whipworm
Flea Tapeworm	(prevents by killing fleas, doesn’t treat current infection)	(prevents by killing fleas, doesn’t treat current infection)	(prevents by killing fleas, doesn’t treat current infection)
Other								(Hydatids)	(Hydatids, Giardia)
Approved for puppies from 8 weeks	(from 2kg)	(from 2kg)	(from 2kg)	(from 1.25kg)	(from 7 weeks)	(from 7 weeks)	(from 12 weeks)	(from 2 weeks / 0.5kg)	(from 2 weeks)
Safe for breeding, pregnant and lactating dogs			(not evaluated)	(not evaluated)	(not established)
Recommended treatment interval	5 months	3 months	1 month	1 month	4 months	2 weeks (Paralysis Tick) 1 month	1 year	1 month (Heartworm / Hydatids) 3 months (GI worms)	6 weeks (Hydatids) 3 months (GI worms)

Are parasite preventative treatments safe?

You may have heard some concerns regarding some parasite treatments causing seizures. The isoxazoline class of treatments, which include the active ingredients in Bravecto, Nexguard Spectra and Simparica Trio, have been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, ataxia, and seizures in dogs with or without a history of neurologic disorders. These side effects have a very low incidence and the protection against Paralysis Tick is regarded as a higher benefit than this small risk (in other words, Paralysis Tick toxicosis causing possible death, or a minimum of very expensive treatment, is much worse than an unlikely seizure), but the manufacturers advise that these products should be used with caution in dogs with a history of seizures. All products don’t suit all pets, so please chat to your veterinarian about your dog’s individual risk factors.

So, what’s our personal opinion?

After looking at the research, results and safety data behind each product, along with the practicality of selecting the most convenient options that provide the most thorough possible protection against our target parasites whilst travelling, we like a combination approach. Our choice is to use a Bravecto chew and Milbemax/Drontal every 3 months, with a yearly injection of Proheart SR12, AND add a Seresto collar (every 4 months) if you’re travelling in WA or the NT due to the tick-borne disease Erhlichiosis (see our blog article on Ehrlichia for more information).

The other common option that covers all bases and is easy when travelling is Nexgard Spectra monthly with a tapewormer tablet every 3 months AND add a Seresto collar (every 4 months) if you’re travelling in WA or the NT due to the tick-borne disease Erhlichiosis (see our blog article on Ehrlichia for more information).

But, the bottom line is that the products that you ultimately use with your dog need to suit your individual dog and are your choice, so do your research and seek veterinary advice first. Dr Tania is happy to chat with you if you’d like to talk it through.

One of our responsibilities as travelling pet owners is that we don’t contribute to spreading diseases and vectors (like ticks, Ehrlichia or heartworm) further than their current endemic zone, so preventative actions are important not only for the health of your own pet but for all of us.

Want a discount on pet parasite prevention delivered to your door?

Head to www.obay.com.au and enter our unique code VIAV100R at the top left of the screen for an exclusive discount on all parasite preventatives and pet supplies.

Keep your chosen parasite preventatives handy by storing them in your Vet in a Van – Navigator Pet First Aid Kit

* Vet in a Van is in no way associated with or promoting any of these products, this comparison is based on information available from the respective manufacturers, product labels and personal experience, is intended to assist you in choosing a product that suits your dog and is not an exhaustive list of available options. Please discuss your dog’s individual requirements with your veterinarian and read the product label before starting a new product as underlying health issues and individual situations vary.

Dr Tania

19/Sep/2020

Most of us have heard of ticks and know that our pets can be affected, but should your pet be on a tick preventative?

There are a few different ticks in Australia that can be a nuisance for our pets, the Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus), the Bush tick and, most dangerously, the Paralysis Tick (Ixodes holocyclus). They can transmit diseases and the Paralysis Tick can cause a progressive lethal paralysis.

Ticks tend to be found in bushy areas and long grass near livestock or wildlife.

(image source: Virbac)

(image source: unknown)

Tick-borne diseases in Australia:

Babesiosis
- A parasite that invades red blood cells, causing anaemia, weakness, lethargy, pale gums, red urine, yellowing skin, fever and possibly death
- Transmitted by the Brown Dog tick and possibly the Bush tick over several days, and also via dog bites
- Mostly in subtropical and tropical northern regions of Australia but has been found in southeastern Australia
- Dingoes can be infected and act as a reservoir for pet dogs
Anaplasmosis
- An emerging disease most common in northern Australia
- A bacterial infection that affects the platelets (needed for blood clotting), causing fever, lethargy, weakness, pale gums and bleeding disorders
- Transmitted by the Brown Dog tick and possibly lice within 24-48 hours of attachment
Ehrlichiosis
- Discovered May 2020 in a few dogs in the Gascoyne and Pilbara, WA, but now widespread through northern Western Australia and the Northern Territory. A locally acquired infection was found in Mt Isa, Queensland, in January 2022. This disease has the potential to spread much further.
- A bacterial infection causing fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite, weight loss, pale gums and unusual bleeding or bruising
- Transmitted by the Brown Dog tick within 6-8 hours of attachment
- Found in subtropical and tropical regions worldwide
- A notifiable disease in Australia
- For more details, see www.outbreak.gov.au/current-responses-to-outbreaks/ehrlichiosis-dogs

The Paralysis Tick (Ixodes holocyclus):

Whilst they can be around all year, they are most prevalent in late Winter and early Spring when the adult females are emerging to breed.
Found along the east coast of Australia, not present in WA, NT or SA. (see map below)
Signs of toxicosis include facial droopiness, weakness, cough, trouble breathing, inability to stand or walk and possible death
The longer the tick is attached, the more severe the toxicosis and effects
Treatment, if discovered early, requires tick antiserum and intensive care hospitalisation

(image source: unknown)

Luckily, we can help prevent these issues by:

Using a reliable tick preventative medication on your pet:

- Spot-ons, chews and tick collars are available, each with pros and cons for use. Chat to your vet about which suits your pet better and see our blog post on Parasite Preventatives for more information.
- Don’t be tempted to use ‘natural’ methods, the consequences of a tick bite can be disastrous so it’s worth investing in effective preventatives.
- Current veterinary advice for areas with Ehrlichia (NT, northern WA and northern Qld) is to use a tick repellent/killer (such as the Seresto collar) in combination with a preventative (such as Nexgard or Bravecto).

Order tick prevention online and protect your pet today – use code OBAY at checkout for free shipping.

If you are travelling or live in a tick prone area, check your pet thoroughly every day for ticks:

- The most effective technique is ‘finger-walking’ as ticks are easier to feel than see amongst your pet’s fur. This is done by starting at your pet’s nose and slowly walking your finger tips along the skin all over your pet’s body, being systematic and following the same pattern each time:
  - Head – ticks like to hide in lip folds and ears, so check closely
  - Neck
  - Shoulders
  - Front legs – especially between the toes and foot pads
  - Back and tummy – hiding places include the arm pits and groin
  - Back legs – between the toes and foot pads, again
  - Bottom and genitals – double check under the tail and in any skin folds
  - Tail
- Ticks can be tiny and easily missed, so checking daily may find a slightly bigger tick today that was missed yesterday.

Want a more thorough explanation? Check out our Tick Check Guide

Remove any ticks correctly and as soon as possible:

- Distract your pet with food or a treat
- Part the fur around the tick
- Using a tick removal device, grasp the tick as close as possible to your pet’s skin, then twist slowly and firmly to pull it away from the skin, trying to keep the tick intact.
- Pulling too quickly may cause the tick’s mouthparts to break off and remain in your pet’s skin. If this occurs, it can be removed with tweezers or by scratching with your fingernail.
- Tweezers are not recommended as a removal tool as they can squeeze the tick, causing more toxin to be injected into your pet.
- If you do not have a tick removal device, please call your veterinarian to have the tick removed as soon as possible. Waiting for the tick to drop off is not recommended as the longer it stays attached, the more likely that the paralysis toxin or infection has serious consequences.

One of our responsibilities as travelling pet owners is that we don’t contribute to spreading diseases and vectors (like ticks) further than their current endemic zone, so preventative actions are important not only for the health of your own pet but for all of us.

Keep your chosen parasite preventatives handy by storing them in your Vet in a Van – Navigator Pet First Aid Kit

*Note that tick preventatives may not be safe for all species (some dog medications are toxic to cats and rabbits), so please follow the label and seek veterinary advice before use.

Telling tails…

A comparison of parasite treatments for dogs