Innovative USDA-Approved Canine Testing Device Provides New Information and Reassurance for Veterinarians and Pet Owners
Pet owners can now have their dogs tested for three tick-borne diseases while at the veterinary clinic
WESTBROOK, Maine, March 1 / -- Dog owners can now leave the veterinary clinic knowing whether or not their dogs are suffering from three different tick-borne diseases. The canine SNAP® 4Dx® in-clinic blood test developed by IDEXX Laboratories screens dogs for exposure to Lyme disease and two other emerging tick-borne diseases, canine ehrlichiosis and canine anaplasmosis, while simultaneously testing for heartworm. After receiving USDA approval in 2006, the test is readily available to veterinary clinics throughout the country.
Lyme disease causes similar symptoms in both dogs and humans, including fatigue, fever, muscle or joint pain, and enlarged lymph nodes. The disease is often referred to as "the great imitator" by doctors and veterinarians because its symptoms mimic many other diseases. This range of symptoms can also make Lyme disease difficult to diagnose from clinical signs alone, with some dogs displaying no visible symptoms for months. As with Lyme disease, canine anaplasmosis and canine ehrlichiosis are often mistaken for other conditions and cannot be accurately diagnosed without a trip to the veterinarian.
Dr. Matt Eberts practices veterinary medicine in the tick-endemic area of Brainerd, Minn. (approximately 130 miles north of Minneapolis), and researches canine tick-borne diseases. Eberts has been involved with SNAP 4Dx clinic trials and was shocked at the early results, which showed an alarming 40 percent of the dogs Eberts examines testing positive for Lyme disease. Perhaps more troublesome than the extremely high incidence of Lyme disease Eberts sees is that 50 percent of the dogs entering his clinic test positive for exposure to canine anaplasmosis.
Like Lyme disease, canine anaplasmosis is spread by infected deer ticks that feed on the blood of dogs. "While Lyme disease continues to be a concern, the growing number of dogs entering my clinic with multiple tick- borne infections adds a new wrinkle to the situation," says Eberts. "There's really no way for pet owners to know what's wrong with their dogs without getting them tested. With this advanced testing, we're now able to quickly identify dogs that have become infected and work with pet owners to look at treatment options or further diagnoses."
Unfortunately, Eberts has had more involvement with tick-borne illnesses than most veterinarians. Not only has one of his own dogs contracted multiple tick-borne diseases, he too has been infected with a disease from these tiny arachnids. In 2001, Eberts became very ill with symptoms initially prompting doctors to diagnose the veterinarian with influenza. After a few days of rest, his symptoms subsided, and Eberts went back to work. Unlike the symptoms common with most flu viruses, Eberts' symptoms returned, leaving his doctors confused and the veterinarian hospitalized.
Eberts' familiarity with canine tick-borne diseases such as canine anaplasmosis prompted him to suggest to his doctors that he could be suffering from human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE), the human form of canine anaplasmosis. The doctors agreed with Eberts' self-diagnosis and quickly started the veterinarian on a successful treatment program. Fortunately, Eberts and his dogs are all healthy and doing well today.
Lyme Disease Association hopes veterinary findings can open some eyes
Organizations such as the national Lyme Disease Association (LDA) have been trying to inform people about the potential dangers of ticks for years and hope what is learned in the veterinary community opens some eyes. "Lyme disease is a huge concern, but we want people to know there are several other tick-borne diseases out there that can be just as harmful. These diseases may have symptoms similar to Lyme disease and may often be acquired by the bite of the same tick," said Pat Smith, president of the LDA.
Smith believes dogs can serve as sentinels for people. "With their furry coats, proximity to the ground and propensity to roll in leaves and other groundcover, dogs are many times more likely to come in contact with ticks than their owners. What we learn from our canine friends can tell us a great deal about where human outbreaks will occur in the future. Dogs play in some of the same areas as our children," she added, "and they are more vulnerable to the disease, too. By monitoring our pets, we can better protect our children in the process."
Confused pet owners
To determine pet owner understanding of canine Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, IDEXX conducted a survey of more than 1,400 U.S. dog owners in 2006. The survey found that more than 70 percent of pet owners feel ticks are a serious pet disease threat, and an increasing number of U.S. dog owners are concerned about Lyme disease in their dogs. However, far fewer are familiar with canine ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis, despite their emergence. Although pet owners may not be familiar with many tick-borne diseases outside Lyme disease, more than half of pet owners correctly understand that ticks can carry multiple diseases that can harm their pets.
Regular testing is key
According to Dr. Stephen Levy, a Durham, Conn. veterinarian who has been on the forefront of tick-borne disease research for the past two decades, the potential range of symptoms brought on by Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases makes annual testing a vital part of a dog's annual veterinary exam. Levy believes regular screening is important not only for disease identification, but also to begin a treatment program as quickly as possible.
"With the potential range of symptoms brought on by Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections, I encourage pet owners to make testing a standard part of their dogs' veterinary exams," says Levy. "Most tick-borne illnesses can be treated, but dogs infected with multiple diseases may take longer to recuperate."
Tick prevention and monitoring tips for dog owners
Most ticks spend their lives on or near the ground waiting for a suitable host animal and can be found in a number of grassy or brushy areas, including anything from a park to a tiny strip of grass located downtown. Since they cannot move quickly or fly, ticks must climb onto objects such as tall grass, weeds, fences and building siding, and wait for a suitable host to pass by. When ticks detect vibrations, host odors or exhaled carbon dioxide, they drop from their location or stretch out to attach to a passing host.
Levy recommends checking active dogs for ticks daily, especially during the spring, summer and fall months. Dog owners can simply brush their fingers through their dogs' fur, applying enough pressure to feel any little bumps. If a small lump is felt, pet owners should pull the fur apart to identify the object. An embedded tick will vary in size, ranging from a pinhead to a grape. They are usually black or dark brown. Depending on the size and location of the tick, its legs are sometimes visible, too.
Pet owners can find more information about dogs and tick-borne diseases at dogsandticks.com/ .
About IDEXX Laboratories
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a leader in companion animal health, serving practicing veterinarians around the world with innovative, technology-based offerings, including a broad range of diagnostic products and services, practice management systems and pharmaceuticals. IDEXX's products enhance the ability of veterinarians to provide advanced medical care and to build more economically successful practices. IDEXX is also a worldwide leader in providing diagnostic tests and information for the production animal industry and tests for the quality and safety of water and milk. Headquartered in Westbrook, Maine, IDEXX Laboratories employs more than 3,500 people and offers products to customers in over 100 countries.
Source: IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
CONTACT: Alison Dunning for IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., +1-612-305-6217, alison.dunning@exponentpr.com
Web site: dogsandticks.com/
