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In dogs, the signs of RMSF can be vague and non-specific. Typically, a dog that has become infected may have one or more of the following clinical signs: poor appetite, muscle or joint pain, fever, coughing, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling of the face or legs, or depression. Focal hemorrhages may occur in the eyes and gums, as well ...
Jun 1, 2023 · Learn about the risk factors, signs, diagnosis and treatment of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), a tick-borne disease that can be fatal for dogs. Find out where RMSF is found, how to prevent it, and how to recognize the symptoms of infection in your dog.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a disease of people and dogs caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. R rickettsii and closely related members of the spotted fever group of rickettsiae are in parts of North, South, and Central America. These pathogens are transmitted primarily through the bites of infected ticks.
Between 1% and 10% of dogs with Rocky Mountain spotted fever die from the disease. Blood tests that assess antibody levels are used to diagnose Rocky Mountain spotted fever. If a veterinarian suspects the disease, antibiotic treatment is usually started immediately without waiting for blood test results.
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What is Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF)?
Apr 5, 2024 · Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a tick-borne disease that can infect dogs. A variety of ticks can carry the rickettsial bacteria that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever in dogs, which means the illness has a wide range and is not limited to the Rocky Mountain area. The first case I ever dealt with was on Long Island, N.Y.
Despite the geographic name, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is widespread in the United States and poses a serious threat to humans and dogs alike. Ticks may become infected and thus spread the disease at any stage of development, from larval to adult, and therefore in areas of high risk such as Arizona as many as 5% of ticks may carry the infection.
Other accompanying symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever are lethargy, decreased appetite, enlarged lymph nodes, and swollen joints. Severely affected dogs may develop neurological signs, renal failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation, a condition where platelets and clotting factors are destroyed.
