FSME -Meningitis in dogs

Early Summer Meningoencephalitis, or FSME for short, is a viral disease transmitted to dogs and humans by ticks. The pathogens are found in the saliva oft he parasites and enter the host`s bloodstream via the bite site. It is a rare infection in dogs, more commonly reported in the Southern part of the country. In addition, this infection is also registered in Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Northern Italy, as well as in Eastern France and Greece.

FSME is an inflammation of the brain and meningus that can be fatal in extreme cases. The vector is the wood tick(Ixodes Ricinus), a tick species which is widespread throughout Germany and is mainly active from March to November. Especially large dogs such as the rottweiler seem to be affected more often than smaller breeds. Also, a weakening of the immune system seems to favor an infection. In addition to dogs, humans and horses are also hosts, while rodents, birds and red foxes are virus reservoirs. The only vector is the wood tick.

Tick- borne viral disease:

Inflammation of the brain and meninges
Rare disease in dogs, can occur mainly in the South of Germany
Especially large dog breeds seem to be more at risk
The immune system seems to play a role
Is relevant for travel, since also documented in other countries

Tick bite on dogs- when should you go to the vet?

In the case of a tick bite you should go to the vet when:

Bite site is reddened and inflamed
Tick can not be removed completely (head remains in the skin)
Heavy tick infestation (especially in puppies and small dogs) risk of anemia
Dog shows symptoms such as fever or listlessness
If in pain or signs of lameness

Symptoms and treatment of FSME

In dogs, there are three types of disease: peracute( very fast and sudden) with a fatal outcome, acute (1-3 weeks) and chronic asymptomatic (over months. This means that there can be cases with a pronounced clinical picture as well as cases that are inconspicuous.

In the acute form, the first symptoms appear after an incubation period, which can vary in severity. In the majority of affected dogs, however, the infection is actually asymptomatic, i.e. nothing is noticeable in the dogs. Documented signs of illness in dogs that are symptomatic include: fever, indifference, loss of appetite, depression, but also neurological signs such as convulsions, paralysis, behavioral changes, drowsiness and hypersensitivity to touch. If your four-legged friend shows any of these signs, you should immediately consult a veterinarian. Especially if you have traveled back from a risk area, live in a risk area or have observed a tick bite.

In case of suspicion, the veterinarian can perform tests to detect the virus (serum antibody test, PCR test). However, antibodies can also occur in dogs that were already asymptomatic with the FSME virus, and are not necessarily conclusive. A brain fluid test is also possible. Due to the wide range of symptoms, the veterinarian will also clarify other possible diseases that are possible differential diagnoses. In addition, it is unfortunately possible for ticks to transmit more than one pathogen, so that a tick bite can cause symptoms of several diseases at the same time. This makes it all the more difficult for the veterinarian. A specific therapy against FSME does not exist, so that the therapy is symptomatically adapted to the individual case. The success of treatment and the duration of treatment depend on the individual course and the start of treatment during the course of the disease. Therefore, it is extremely important to consult a veterinarian at an early stage if suspicion arises.

FSME vaccination- tick prophylaxisis is the best prevention

You can carefully dab the bite area with a suitable skin disinfectant. If the area remains red and thick, you should take the dog to a veterinarian as a precaution. For many tick-borne diseases, the probability of transmission decreases if the tick is removed quickly, since many pathogens are transmitted only after hours or days. Not so with FSME, which unfortunately can be transmitted immediately after the first suck of the tick. For this reason, an individual assessment of the risk and a suitable prophylaxis for the dog is particularly important. In general, it should be noted that the risk of ticks is particularly high at the edge of forests and in meadows with high vegetation. Before traveling, it makes sense to inform yourself about the local tick risk in order to protect your dog sufficiently.

Further danger from tick bites: Lyme disease

Lyme disease is also transmitted by the wood tick. It is not life-threatening and occurs throughout Europe. The causative agents of so-called Lyme disease are bacteria from the Borrelia burgdorferi complex. Numerous animal species serve as hosts, such as rodents, dogs, and cats, as well as humans. In dogs, an infection usually progresses subclinically, meaning without noticeable symptoms. Occasionally, signs of illness such as malaise or lameness may be observed, but the clinical relevance of this infection is low. The veterinarian diagnoses it through various tests (PCR, Western Blot). Treatment is possible with antibiotics. Consistent tick prophylaxis is recommended for prevention. A vaccine exists but is controversially discussed among experts, as there is a lack of experience regarding the comparative efficacy of the different vaccines. Additionally, there are no reliable studies on species-dependent virulence of Borrelia, and the vaccines contain antigens from different species in part.

Since there is no FSME vaccine for dogs, the most important prophylactic measure is the targeted tick defence. Your veterinarian can provide you with products that can already prevent the attachment of ticks, as well as products that lead to the rapid death of already attached ticks. Together with you, your veterinarian will select the most suitable product for your dog. Especially for dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors, and especially for dogs that live in risk areas, it is advisable to check the dog for ticks after being outdoors. Ticks can sit anywhere on the body, but generally prefer areas that are less densely covered by fur and have thin skin. Therefore, it is in any case useful to check the head, armpits, abdomen and genital area of the dog.

To remove a tick, you should use tick forceps, as these can be used to grab the tick directly through the skin by ist mouthparts. Do not make any twisting motion and do not sprinkle the tick with oil, glue or similar beforehand. Do not use your fingers to grab the tick, as this can cause the tick to be squashed and pathogens to enter the wind canal.

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