The bite of the alluvial forest tick transmits the deadly canine malaria - this is not a fake!
The bite of the immigrant tick species “alluvial forest tick” can be life-threatening. The alluvial forest tick ( Dermacentor reticulatus ) or colorful tick, because of its “colorful” dorsal shield, is a species of tick originally native to Hungary, northern Italy and Austria. Since the 1970s, the riparian forest tick has also been widespread in most other European countries and is now part of the natural fauna.
Until recently it was considered largely untouched in Germany, but unfortunately it is also becoming native to some parts of Germany:
By loading the post you accept Facebook's privacy policy.
Learn more
We didn't expect this “blood picture” (below).
It shows Babesia (circle) in the red blood cells of a dog suffering from so-called canine malaria. This disease is transmitted by ticks. For the first time in our clinic, a dog that had never left OWL showed this disease.
So far we have only had babesiosis patients who came from abroad or were traveling. We must therefore assume that the riparian forest tick that transmits this disease is now also native to us. Canine malaria is life-threatening if not detected early and treated properly. Babesia destroys red blood cells. Please protect your dogs from ticks! We would be happy to advise you.
The riparian forest tick itself is no more poisonous or dangerous than other tick species, but it transmits the pathogens of babesiosis , a single-celled parasite of the genus Babesia, in this case Babesia canis. This is not a zoonosis, which means the disease is not transmitted to the transmitted to people. The tick transmits the so-called large Babesia through saliva when it bites and after just 12 hours. Normally 24-72 hours after the tick bites.
Babesiosis or canine malaria
Because of its similarity to human malaria, babesiosis is also known as canine malaria. The disease progresses acutely with high fever and anemia (anemia). The dogs are weak, breathe very quickly, have a high pulse, pale mucous membranes and have reddish-brown urine.
In severe cases, DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation) can occur, which means that the animal has used up all the clotting factors in the blood and the blood can hardly clot, which leads to pinpoint bleeding in the skin and eyes (petechiae).
The diagnosis can be made based on the clinical picture or by means of a blood smear of capillary blood (e.g. from the ear). Babisia can then be seen in the red blood cells (erythrocytes) when the blood smear is stained according to Wright.
Therapy should take place as soon as possible and is initially symptomatic (infusions, compensation for acidosis and possibly blood transfusions).
There are some medications that can be used on dogs, but please always consult your veterinarian. Lay treatment is not recommended and is hardly possible. With a few exceptions (peracute course), the prognosis for healing can be viewed as favorable, which means that the dog is by no means doomed to die if babesiosis is recognized in time.
Babesiosis is widespread throughout Central Europe and the Scandinavian region .
How can you prevent?
The most important measure to prevent babesiosis is good tick protection .
There are several options that have advantages and disadvantages (spot-on, collar, etc.), please seek advice from your vet.
Collecting ticks does not protect against babesiosis and in this case you can only advise against using natural remedies as they lead to a false sense of security.
So:
- Yes, there is dog malaria in Germany.
- Yes, it is transmitted via the riparian forest tick.
- Deaths in treated animals are rare and you can protect your animal well and reliably from this with an approved tick medication.
That means:
- No reason to panic!
- Please seek advice from your vet!
- At the first symptoms of illness, please contact a veterinarian immediately.
Source: RWNelson, Small Animal Internal Medicine; Grünbaum, Schimke, Clinic for Dog Diseases
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )