Post by IH Health on Jan 22, 2009 15:26:18 GMT 1
Piroplasmosis and Ticks
Also known as
What is it?
Piroplasmosis can be caught when a tick infested with the protozoan parasite ‘Babesia’ bites an organism (Babesia equi and Babesia caballi) – there are organism specific protozoa for horses and humans, as well as cows and dogs. Although not generally known in the UK, France and Southern Europe has many recorded cases. Without treatment this disease can kill through multi-organ failure.
Types
None
Causes
Infection caused by the bite of an infested tick or by blood exchange.
Symptoms
Incubation time is normally around 7-22 days after being bitten and is most prevalent from August to October. Symptoms can be confused with laminitis, colic and aztoria – however treatment for these conditions will not be successful so time is of the essence.
* Rapid and shallow breathing
* Weakness
* Raised Temperature
* Body Swelling
* Inability or reluctance to move
* Blood in the urine (urine output and bowel output can stop completely)
* Jaundice
* Anemia
Diagnosis
Diagnosis must be rapid by a trained person. It is normally done by ruling out other diseases such as the ones names above. Blood samples can be taken for testing.
Treatment
The first thing is to remove any ticks (this should be done when any tick is present to reduce the risk of disease). See section below for removal techniques. Treatment is then treated with anti-protozoan drugs along with medication to attempt to stop organ failure. Blood transfusions are required in extreme cases.
Correct Tick Removal
How a tick is removed is extremely important. Incorrect removal can result in:
* The tick's mouth parts being left behind in the skin.
* Compression of the tick's abdomen.
* Puncture of the tick's body.
* Injury and stress to the tick.
These in turn can result in localised infection from foreign bodies and the introduction of infective organisms from the tick's stomach contents and saliva.
Leaving behind the tick's mouth parts can result in septic abscesses which, in severe cases, can lead to septicaemia.
Compressing the tick's abdomen can cause its stomach contents to be squeezed back into the blood stream of its host.
Puncturing the body of the tick can spill its stomach contents, which may contain infective organisms.
Causing injury or stress to the tick can result in it regurgitating the blood meal that it has ingested. This may contain infective organisms and result in the host contracting a serious infection/s.
Stress to the tick can result from applying solutions such as alcohol, aftershave, oils / butter, paraffin or petroleum jelly. It can also result from applying a freezing agent or burning the tick with a cigarette, lighter, or match head.
These methods might be successful in getting a tick to release its grip, but they can also significantly increase the chances of disease transmission.
There are only two safe ways to remove an attached tick:
* With Fine-tipped Tweezers
* With a Tick-removal Tool
The best way to avoid contracting a tick-borne disease is to avoid tick attachment in the first place. For simple preventative measures, see our Top Ten Tips, and to keep pets safe, see our Tick Prevention page.
Taken from the BADA-UK site
Websites (click on title for link)
Equine Rescue France
AVMA
Previous discussions (click on title for link)
Piroplasmosis
PLEASE ALSO SEE THE POST ON LYMES DISEASE IN THIS SECTION
Please post below any information you have on this subject or of your experiences in diagnosis/treatment/aftercare. All information given is for reference only and does not constitute or should replace qualified veterinarian advice.
Also known as
What is it?
Piroplasmosis can be caught when a tick infested with the protozoan parasite ‘Babesia’ bites an organism (Babesia equi and Babesia caballi) – there are organism specific protozoa for horses and humans, as well as cows and dogs. Although not generally known in the UK, France and Southern Europe has many recorded cases. Without treatment this disease can kill through multi-organ failure.
Types
None
Causes
Infection caused by the bite of an infested tick or by blood exchange.
Symptoms
Incubation time is normally around 7-22 days after being bitten and is most prevalent from August to October. Symptoms can be confused with laminitis, colic and aztoria – however treatment for these conditions will not be successful so time is of the essence.
* Rapid and shallow breathing
* Weakness
* Raised Temperature
* Body Swelling
* Inability or reluctance to move
* Blood in the urine (urine output and bowel output can stop completely)
* Jaundice
* Anemia
Diagnosis
Diagnosis must be rapid by a trained person. It is normally done by ruling out other diseases such as the ones names above. Blood samples can be taken for testing.
Treatment
The first thing is to remove any ticks (this should be done when any tick is present to reduce the risk of disease). See section below for removal techniques. Treatment is then treated with anti-protozoan drugs along with medication to attempt to stop organ failure. Blood transfusions are required in extreme cases.
Correct Tick Removal
How a tick is removed is extremely important. Incorrect removal can result in:
* The tick's mouth parts being left behind in the skin.
* Compression of the tick's abdomen.
* Puncture of the tick's body.
* Injury and stress to the tick.
These in turn can result in localised infection from foreign bodies and the introduction of infective organisms from the tick's stomach contents and saliva.
Leaving behind the tick's mouth parts can result in septic abscesses which, in severe cases, can lead to septicaemia.
Compressing the tick's abdomen can cause its stomach contents to be squeezed back into the blood stream of its host.
Puncturing the body of the tick can spill its stomach contents, which may contain infective organisms.
Causing injury or stress to the tick can result in it regurgitating the blood meal that it has ingested. This may contain infective organisms and result in the host contracting a serious infection/s.
Stress to the tick can result from applying solutions such as alcohol, aftershave, oils / butter, paraffin or petroleum jelly. It can also result from applying a freezing agent or burning the tick with a cigarette, lighter, or match head.
These methods might be successful in getting a tick to release its grip, but they can also significantly increase the chances of disease transmission.
There are only two safe ways to remove an attached tick:
* With Fine-tipped Tweezers
* With a Tick-removal Tool
The best way to avoid contracting a tick-borne disease is to avoid tick attachment in the first place. For simple preventative measures, see our Top Ten Tips, and to keep pets safe, see our Tick Prevention page.
Taken from the BADA-UK site
Websites (click on title for link)
Equine Rescue France
AVMA
Previous discussions (click on title for link)
Piroplasmosis
PLEASE ALSO SEE THE POST ON LYMES DISEASE IN THIS SECTION
Please post below any information you have on this subject or of your experiences in diagnosis/treatment/aftercare. All information given is for reference only and does not constitute or should replace qualified veterinarian advice.