Natural Resources
Health and Community Services
July 16, 2010Pet Owners
Should Be Vigilant When Examining for Ticks
The Department of Natural Resources, Animal Health
Division, is encouraging pet owners to examine their pets for deer
ticks. A significant number of deer ticks found on pets have been
reported across the island portion of the province, although none have
been reported in Labrador.
Deer ticks can attach themselves to any warm-bodied
host including humans, and are responsible for spreading Lyme disease in
animals; however, only dogs and humans are known to get sick from the
disease.
"We have had two known cases of Lyme disease in
animals in this province in the past, in 2004 and 2006, both in dogs on
the west coast," said Dr. Hugh Whitney, Chief Veterinary Officer. "So
far in 2010 we have seen 19 deer ticks from across the island, almost
all removed from pet dogs, with one coming from a cat."
Anyone finding a tick on their pet should remove it
carefully with tweezers and take it to their local veterinary clinic
where any risk of Lyme disease infection can be evaluated. Lyme disease
is spread by deer ticks that attach themselves to migratory birds each
spring. Between 10-15 per cent of deer ticks tested in this province
carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.
The deer tick exists permanently in New Brunswick and
Nova Scotia with no known permanent populations in this province. The
symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs include lameness, loss of appetite,
fever and loss of energy. Affected animals usually respond well to
treatment.
"Human Lyme disease is an infection that begins in the
skin at the site of the tick bite. It can produce general flu-like
symptoms that can progress to more serious systemic disease if not
treated early," said Dr. Faith Stratton, Chief Medical Officer of
Health. "The tick should be removed carefully from the skin with a pair
of tweezers as soon as possible to prevent infection. Anyone who has
been bitten by a tick carrying the bacteria is at risk and should seek
medical attention if a skin lesion appears."
No human cases of locally acquired Lyme disease have
been reported in this province, although cases have been diagnosed
elsewhere in Canada.
For more information on ticks and Lyme disease go to:
www.gov.nl.ca/agric/animal_diseases/ or contact Dr. Hugh Whitney
709-729-6879.
