INFORMATION ON TICKS
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Diseases and Symptoms in Animals:

The following guide contains general information about tick-borne infection in companion animals. It is not intended to be a diagnostic tool. Diagnosis and treatment of animals should only be performed by a licensed veterinarian, who should consult current literature and pharmacological formularies before initiating any treatment protocol.
Ticks can carry a variety of pathogens concurrently and so it is very important to check for multiple infections when a tick-borne disease is suspected.

Anaplasmosis
Anaplasmosis [an-a-plas-mo-sis] and Ehrlichiosis [ehr-lich-i-o-sis] are caused by Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species, which are members of the rickettsiae and are obligate intracellular coccobacilli. These organisms are predominantly transmitted from animal to animal by ticks. The species of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma that are generally recorded in pet animals are:

Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis in Dogs
(Canine Anaplasmosis / Ehrlichiosis)Clinical Signs and symptoms:
• Pyrexia (fever)
• Lethargy (weakness / loss of energy)
• Depression
• Anorexia (loss of appetite leading to weight loss)
More acute signs include:
• Lymphadenopathy (swollen / enlarged lymph nodes)
• Haemoglobinuria (dark red haemoglobin-containing urine)
• Petechial to ecchymotic haemorrhages (spotted areas of blood accumulated within the tissue)
• Epistaxis related to thrombocytopenia (nosebleeds leading to reduced platelets)
• Neurologic disease
• Inflammatory arthritis - maybe mono- or polyarthritis (single or multiple joint involvement)
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Ocular lesions including uveitis, chorioretinitis, and retinal detachment have been reported

Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis in Cats
(Feline Anaplasmosis / Ehrlichiosis)
Although Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species have been reported to cause disease in cats, little is known about the prevalence of infection, disease manifestations, and treatment recommendations for feline infections.
Generally, in most recorded cases, animals have shown clinical signs within 10-14 days after being bitten. However, there are some cases where the pet has become sick months later.

Anaplasmosis in Horses
(Equine Anaplasmosis)
A. phagocytophilum resembles the etiologic agents of tick-borne fever and bovine petechial fever. It is present in cytoplasmic vacuoles of neutrophils and occasionally eosinophils during the acute phase.
Clinical signs & symptoms:
• Pyrexia (fever)
• Lethargy (weakness / loss of energy)
• Depression
• Anorexia (loss of appetite leading to weight loss)
More acute signs include:
• Lymphadenopathy (swollen / enlarged lymph nodes)
• Haemoglobinuria (dark red haemoglobin-containing urine)
• Leukopenia (reduced leukocytes)
• Thrombocytopenia (reduced platelets)
• Petechial to ecchymotic haemorrhages (spotted areas of blood accumulated within the tissue)
• Icterus (Jaundice - yellowing of the skin and eyes that is caused by too much bilirubin in the blood)
• Ataxia (loss of muscle coordination)
• Inflammatory arthritis - maybe mono- or polyarthritis (single or multiple joint involvement)
• Limb oedema (swelling of fluid within tissues)
Severity of signs varies with the age of the animal and the duration of the illness. Signs may be mild (pyrexia only) or more severe (more often in older horses). Fever is generally at its highest during the first 1-3 days. Lower-grade fevers persist for 6-12 days when other signs become more severe. Any concurrent infection can cause exacerbation of symptoms.
Rarely, myocardial vasculitis can cause transient ventricular arrhythmias.
Differential diagnoses include viral encephalitis, primary liver disease, Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA), purpura haemorrhagica, and viral arteritis.

Babesiosis
Babesiosis [ba-be-si-o-sis] can affect pets as well as livestock, wildlife and humans. It is caused by the Babesia genus. These organisms are pear-shaped protozoans which live in the red blood cells of mammals. They are similar to the protozoans that cause malaria and sleeping sickness and are sometimes referred to as "piroplasms".
In addition to transmission via infected ticks, Babesiosis can also be spread iatrogenically by blood-contaminated needles or surgical instruments and through contaminated blood transfusions. Fighting between dogs may also result in transmission of certain Babesia species. At the present time, there is no evidence of transmission via other vectors.
Following ingestation by the tick, gamogony and sporogony (stages in the sexual reproduction of Babesia protozoa) occur within the gut of the tick, resulting in production of sporozoites (cells that infect a new host). Once inoculated into the new host, the Babesia sporozoites invade the erythrocytes, where they multiply asexually by binary fission. The resultant merozoites (daughter cells) rupture the red blood cells and go on to invade additional erythrocytes.

Babesia species found in companion animals include:
• In dogs - Babesia canis and B. gibsonis
• In cats - B. felis and B. cati
• In horses - B. equi and B. caballi
The spectrum of disease ranges from asymptomatic to the sudden onset of acute disease, which can be fatal. Symptoms generally result from the destruction of red-blood cells with the simultaneous release of haemoglobin and organisms into the blood stream. Splenectomy and immunosuppression exacerbate both parasitaemia and clinical disease from infections with Babesia species.
Animals that have survived Babesiosis remain subclinically infected. They may suffer a relapse in the future and can be a source for further spread of disease. Animals that have survived Babesiosis should NEVER be used as donors for blood transfusions because the recipients may develop the disease.

Babesiosis in Dogs
(Canine Babesiosis)
Cases of canine Babesiosis may present with a wide variation in the severity of clinical signs, which can range from a hyperacute, shock-associated, haemolytic crisis to an inapparent, subclinical infection. In general, disease is less severe with B. canis infection than with B. gibsoni.
Clinical Signs & Symptoms:
• Lethargy (weakness / loss of energy)
• Pyrexia (fever)
• Mucous membrane pallor
• Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen)
• Lymphadenopathy (swollen / enlarged lymph nodes)
• Haemolytic anaemia (anaemia caused by the destruction of red blood cells)
• Haemoglobinuria (dark red haemoglobin-containing urine)
• Icterus (Jaundice - yellowing of the skin and eyes that is caused by too much bilirubin in the blood)
• Depression
• Anorexia (loss of appetite leading to weight loss)
• Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
• Tachypnea (rapid breathing)
• In severe cases: acute collapse, multiple organ failure, and death

Babesiosis in Cats
(Feline Babesiosis)
Feline Babesiosis generally presents as a chronic, low-grade disease.
Clinical Signs & Symptoms:
• Lethargy (weakness / loss of energy)
• Rough haircoat
• Pyrexia - uncommon (fever)
• Haemolytic anaemia (anaemias caused by the destruction of red blood cells)
• Mucous membrane pallor
• Haemoglobinuria (dark red, haemoglobin-containing urine)
• Icterus - uncommon (Jaundice - yellowing of the skin and eyes that is caused by too much bilirubin in the blood)
• Depression
• Anorexia (loss of appetite leading to weight loss)
• Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
• Tachypnea (rapid breathing)
• In severe cases: pulmonary oedema, hepatopathy (disorder of the liver), and central nervous system dysfunction

Babesiosis in Horses
(Equine Piroplasmosis)
Babesiosis in the horse is caused by two protozoal piroplasms, Babesia equi and Babesia caballi. Competent vector-tick species include Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Dermacentor reticulatus.
Clinical Signs & Symptoms
Acute signs:
• Pyrexia - generally mild (fever)
• Lethargy (weakness / loss of energy)
• Anorexia (loss of appetite leading to weight loss)
• Depression
• Icterus (Jaundice - yellowing of the skin and eyes that is caused by too much bilirubin in the blood)
• Haemoglobinemia (excessive haemoglobin in the blood)
• Haemoglobinuria (dark red haemoglobin-containing urine)
• Pale mucous membranes
• Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
• Tachypnea (rapid breathing)
Additionally, sweating, colic, lacrimation, incoordination, cardiac murmurs, and subcutaneous oedema around the head and eyelids can occur.
Subacute cases are characterised by intermittent pyrexia, anorexia, tachycardia, tachypnea, with variable degrees of icterus, haemoglobinuria, and bilirubinuria.
Chronic infections typically result in variable clinical presentations involving anorexia, lethargy, and mild anaemia. Of the two causative organisms, B. equi is considered more pathogenic. A variety of secondary complications may result from Babesiosis including acute renal failure, colic, enteritis, laminitis, pneumonia, infertility, and abortion. In cases with suspect clinical signs of Babesiosis, the following differential diagnoses should be considered: Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA), Monocytic Ehrlichiosis, Red Maple Toxicosis, and hepatic disease.
On rare occasions, a peracute form of the disease occurs. Horses can die within 24-48 hours of the onset of clinical signs.

Bartonellosis
Bartonellosis [bar-ton-el-lo-sis] is caused by a gram-negative bacterium of the Bartonella genus. It is largely a disease of cats but can affect other companion animals and humans through direct inoculation (the scratch or bite of an infected animal) or through the bite of an arthropod host.
Bartonella species are carried by many wild mammals throughout the world. In its natural hosts, the disease generally appears not to cause symptoms but once it is transferred to domestic animals or humans, symptomatic disease may occur.
Companion animals can remain symptomless, but stressed or immune-compromised animals may become symptomatic.

Bartonellosis in Dogs
(Canine Bartonellosis)
An infection from the various Bartonella species or subspecies in domestic dogs can cause a wide spectrum of clinical signs, ranging from symptom-free to severe clinical manifestations.
Clinical Signs & symptoms:
• Pyrexia (fever)
• Endocarditis (inflammation of the inner lining of the heart)
• Arrhythmia (irregular heart beat)
• Cardiopulmonary decompensation (circulatory disorder of the heart)
• Granulomatous hepatitis (a liver disorder)
• Granulomatous lymphadenitis (a disorder of the lymph nodes)
• Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
• Anaemia (low red blood cell count)
• Neurological dysfunction

Bartonellosis in Cats
(Feline Bartonellosis)
Bartonella henselae in cats causes what is generally considered to be a self-limiting transient febrile illness for approximately 48-72 hours. Cats appear to tolerate chronic bacteraemia without obvious clinical abnormalities. Bacteraemia persists for months with clinical signs appearing in chronic infections when the animal is under stress or with concurrent disease.
Clinical Signs & Symptoms
Anorexia (loss of appetite leading to weight loss)
Lymphadenopathy (swollen / enlarged lymph nodes)

Borreliosis / Lyme Disease
Borreliosis [bore-El-ee-Oh-sis] (also known as Lyme disease) is caused by a spirochaetal bacterium of the Borrelia genus. Several species of this organism exist in Europe, most of which can cause disease if transmitted to humans. Clinical disease can also occur in dogs but is less commonly reported in cats and horses. It is possible that this lack of reported cases could be attributed to undiagnosed / misdiagnosed disease, due to limitations of laboratory testing techniques and lack of awareness amongst owners and veterinarians.
Borrelia bacteria infect many forms of wildlife, but generally no symptoms occur, unless the animal is immune-compromised by old age or disease. However, various species of wildlife can act as reservoirs for the bacteria and can transmit the pathogens to a tick when it feeds on the animal's blood. If the infected tick then goes on to bite a human or a pet animal, symptomatic infection can result.
It is generally Ixodid ticks (a family of hard ticks) that transmit Borreliosis. The sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus) and the hedgehog tick (Ixodes hexagonus) are both carriers of Borrelia bacteria, and both unfortunately often attach to people and domestic pets. I. hexagonus is most likely to be encountered by urban populations of dogs and cats. One species of Argasid (a soft tick), called Argas reflexus, and known as the pigeon tick, also carries Borreliosis.
Borrelia spirochaetes migrate in connective tissues, disseminate, and eventually establish long-term infection in peripheral sites including the heart, joints, and neural tissue. Resident bacteria incite inflammation with tissue damage. The spirochaetes evade the host's immune response and persist in tissues.
In animals, the characteristic rash (which can be the first indicator of infection) is not usually observed. Instead, the first sign of illness is when the animal appears to be generally "off-colour". Lethargy and loss of appetite can often be accompanied by lameness.

Borreliosis in Dogs
(Canine Lyme Disease)
Clinical Signs & Symptoms
Subclinical infection is common in dogs. When chronic infection does develop in individual dogs, it may persist for several years. In addition, re-infection or co-infections with other tick-transmitted organisms may occur. When clinical disease occurs, the most common signs are:
• Lethargy (weakness / loss of energy)
• Anorexia (loss of appetite leading to weight loss)
• Pyrexia (fever)
• Inflammatory arthritis - maybe mono- or polyarthritis (single or multiple joint involvement)
• Lymphadenopathy (swollen / enlarged lymph nodes)
Renal, cardiac, and neurologic forms of the disease are characterised by clinical and laboratory abnormalities. Renal Borreliosis in canine syndrome is generally fatal. It is characterised by uremia, hyperphospataemia, and severe protein-losing neuropathy, often accompanied by peripheral oedema. In the rare cardiac form, conduction abnormalities with bradycardia occurs. In the neurologic form, paralysis and seizure disorders have been reported.
There is little information available regarding incubation periods for naturally infected dogs. However, joint disease following experimentally-induced infection presents after two to five months. The first episode of arthritis is generally in the limb closest to the tick bite. In untreated or inadequately treated dogs, episodes of arthritis and lameness may be recurrent. The different species of Borrelia bacteria may induce differing clinical signs.

Borreliosis in Cats
(Feline Lyme Disease)
Clinical disease in cats is rarely reported. Despite the common findings of antibodies reactive to B. burgdorferi in cats in endemic areas, clinical disease is poorly understood. Consequently, little is known about the prevalence of infection, disease manifestations, and treatment recommendations for feline infections. It is probable that most cats are able to resist the illness but clinical disease occurs when the animal becomes immune-compromised.
Clinical Signs & Symptoms
Observed symptoms in the few reported cases include:
• Lethargy (weakness / loss of energy)
• Anorexia (loss of appetite which leads to weight loss)
• Pyrexia (fever)
• Inflammatory arthritis - may be mono- or polyarthritis (single or multiple joint involvement)
Sudden collapse and a "zombie-like" trance have been described. In cases of heavy infestation, severe anaemia has been reported. In most cases, diagnosis was successful because tick attachment was observed or reported. Without a tick-bite history, misdiagnosis may occur, because symptoms tend to be ambiguous.

Borreliosis in Horses
(Equine Lyme Disease)
In tests for Borreliosis in horses, high rates of seropositivity have been recorded from many regions of the UK and clinical cases certainly occur in a percentage of animals.
Clinical Signs & Symptoms:
• Pyrexia - generally mild (fever)
• Lethargy (weakness / loss of energy)
• Anorexia (loss of appetite leading to weight loss)
• General stiffness / lameness
• Myalgia (muscle soreness)
• Synovial effusions (excessive synovial fluid in joints)
• Laminitis (inflammation of the sensitive plates of soft tissue (laminae) in the horse's hoof)
• Uveitis (inflammation within the eye)
• Behavioural changes
• Hyperaesthesia (excessive sensitivity)
• Ataxia (loss of coordination)