Cody is doing much better after his sudden illness and hospitalization last weekend. We just got home from the vet and the blood test showed Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, I’d like to get my hands on that nasty tick that infected him!
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is one of the most commonly known tick-borne diseases to affect dogs and humans. It belongs to a class of diseases known as Rickettsia; rod-shaped microorganisms that resemble bacteria, but which behave like viruses, reproducing only inside living cells. Rickettsia rickettsii — the organism responsible for Rocky Mountain spotted fever — lives parasitically in ticks and is transmitted by bite to vertebrate hosts.
There are two more tests to come back, Neospora a protozoan and Toxoplasmosis. But for now Cody is returning to normal, got a good check up and is also on a diet to get slim and trim again! He will continue on antibiotics and will be weaned off of the Prednisone.
I’m thankful for all of the great doctors at MVRC, Midwest Veterinary Referral Center, Chesterfield, MO. and their quick thinking. I’m glad that I noticed something was not quite right with Cody, and got him to the hospital immediately.
Cody is on Frontline for ticks and fleas, which is a great barrier, but cannot prevent everything your dog may come into contact with. The ticks that carry this disease only have to be on your dog for about 24 hours in order infect them.
We are enjoying Cody being back to almost normal and stealing toys from his sister, Nikki!
Comments are closed.