Lyme Disease

Hepatozoonosis

Hepatozoonosis is a disease that affects dogs.  It is believed that the brown dog tick and Gulf Coast tick transmit the parasite to dogs when dogs ingest these ticks.  The disease occurs in the southern US (mostly in the Gulf Coast region of Texas), as well as Europe, Africa, and South America.

Symptoms: Most otherwise healthy dogs do not experience any symptoms of hepatozoonosis.  However, dogs with other infections, suppressed immune systems, and defective white blood cells and puppies less than four months old experience symptoms.  Symtoms include pain in the lumbar (lower back) region, reluctance to move, discharge from the eyes and nose, diarrhea, anorexia, and a dense membrane covering the bones.

Treatment: Currently, there is no treatment to eliminate the bacteria.  However, non-steroid anti-inflammatories can be used to ease pain and discomfort.

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