What Lurks in your Backyard?

Lets take a look at the organisms in your backyard. It is possible they cause illness in your pets. How can you avoid these diseases?

The worst organisms are the smallest ones. Organisms such as protozoa, bacteria or viruses are dangerous because you cannot see them. You only see the diseases they cause.

Giardia is a protozoa. It may be ingested through stagnant water, puddles, plants saucers and commonly fish ponds. Dogs and cats will get seriously ill due to vomiting and diarrhea.  The disease can be difficult to diagnose. Treatments often needs repeating and those treated can still be carriers.  A carrier would continually shed the protozoa and pass it around. Humans can get ill, too.  Excellent sanitation is wise. Clean up stools regularly and wear gloves! (Who wouldn't?). There is vaccine available which is effective before infection occurs.

A bacteria-like organism is the cause of  Lymes Disease. Ticks transmit the organism Borrelia burgdorferi. The disease may start with an infected tick such as the Pacific Coast tick but there are at least 5 other ticks who can carry it. The infected bite can lead to fever, nerve damage and severe arthritis. Fortunately Lymes disease has been low in the immediate area. Dogs are six times more likely to get the disease compared to humans. An increase in the tick population can parallel infection. Last year Powell Butte had a larger than normal tick population. This year may be larger.  If the tick attaches to the host (victim)  the bacteria-like organism is not released in the first 36 hours. So quick action is prudent. If the release occurs before the tick is pulled then immediate care is recommended to start the antibiotic protocol. If you do not know the time line then antibiotics  should be started. Good tick control is a sensible choice. In addition there is a fairly good vaccine available for dogs.

A virus which my sound familiar to you is Distemper. Before development of the vaccine the virus was common. The disease in dogs and cats usually causes death. Diarrhea, neurologic signs and severe pneumonia are present. It is a very contagious and awful disease. Raccoons carry both the dog and cat virus. Foxes, coyotes and wolves carry the dog form primarily through stools but also from the nasal discharge. In this area raccoons are common backyard guests. Vaccination is 99.9% effective. If pet owners in general fail to vaccinate an epidemic of the disease would occur.

Heart worm Disease is an infection of a tiny worm that gets into the bloodstream. This disease requires a helper--the mosquito. As a mosquito takes a blood meal from one dog it may include the worm. The mosquito goes to the next dog and spits the worm into the new victim's bloodstream.  The tiny worm grows up to 8-10" and then causes serious problems. The result is heart damage, liver and kidney disease and ultimately death. Since mosquitoes are prevalent 10 months a year in Oregon the disease has lots of opportunity to spread. When I moved here in 1991 the risk level was about 3 % and has steadily increased. In Multnomah County there were 24 cases last year. In southern Oregon there were over 500. The disease keeps creeping northward. Treatment is available. It involves injections of Arsenic to kill the adult worm. There can be residual side effects depending how many worms infected the pet. Prevention makes more sense on this one. Give a tasty  medicated treat once monthly and be worry free. (Incidence is extemely low in cats.)

Treatment is available for all 4  backyard diseases. Your pet however may not be cured or die from the disease. Prevention is the key!