Ticks and mosquitoes can transmit serious diseases to dogs and cats. Notable among these are conditions such as leishmaniasis, heartworm disease and various tick-borne infections, such as ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and babesiosis. These diseases can seriously affect a pet’s health and, in many cases, cannot be detected simply by looking for the parasite, as a bite may go unnoticed. Therefore, in addition to a thorough clinical examination, it is essential to maintain a routine of veterinary worming treatment in Benissa tailored to the animal’s lifestyle.
In a Mediterranean region such as Benissa and the Marina Alta, where the climate favours the presence of vectors for much of the year, it is advisable to pay particular attention to this risk. In Benivet Benissa We assess each patient’s level of exposure, review their anti-parasitic protection and, if there are compatible symptoms, guide the investigation from a veterinary practice in Benissa with the support of laboratory facilities and specialist medical services. The clinic offers, amongst other services, general consultations, internal medicine, clinical tests and treatment for leishmaniasis.
What diseases can ticks and mosquitoes transmit?
Mosquitoes and sand flies can play a role in the transmission of diseases such as leishmaniasis and heartworm disease, whilst ticks are associated with infections such as ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and babesiosis. The ESCCAP guidelines explain that these vector-borne diseases are significant because they can be difficult to diagnose and control, clinical signs vary, and their epidemiological distribution may change over time.
This means that a dog or cat may appear healthy for a while, yet still have been exposed to an infection. In other cases, the signs appear gradually and are mistaken for tiredness, loss of appetite, digestive problems or skin conditions. Therefore, when an infection is suspected, it may be useful to extend the investigation beyond the veterinary internal medicine in Benissa so as not to settle for a superficial explanation.
What symptoms might raise suspicion?
Symptoms depend on the disease and the pet’s general condition, but you should seek advice if your pet shows signs of lethargy, fever, weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing, difficulty breathing, bleeding, lameness or skin lesions. ESCCAP points out that the clinical signs of these infections can be non-specific and may appear after long incubation periods, which makes early detection difficult.
When the clinical picture is accompanied by weakness, anaemia, haematological abnormalities or a suspected systemic infection, it is usually advisable to supplement the assessment with veterinary blood tests to help guide the diagnosis. If there are also changes in urination, increased thirst or a suspected urinary tract infection, it may also be advisable to supplement the investigation with urine analysis for dogs and cats.
If you notice wounds that are slow to heal, hair loss, skin lesions or persistent skin problems, it is not always simply a case of irritation or an allergy. In some patients, it is also advisable to assess the area of veterinary dermatology in Benissa, particularly if there are lesions consistent with vector-borne diseases or with concurrent conditions.
Which pets are most at risk?
The risk is usually higher in dogs and cats that spend a lot of time outdoors, live near areas with vegetation, gardens or countryside, travel frequently or do not follow a consistent preventative regime. ESCCAP also warns that climatic and ecological changes, together with the movement of pets, may alter the distribution of these diseases across Europe.
In practice, this means that a pet that is walked in rural areas, sleeps outdoors or visits areas with a higher concentration of vectors may require more rigorous protection than one with less exposure. For dogs at particular risk of sand fly infection, review the prevention of Leishmaniasis in Benissa This may be particularly important.
How can they be prevented?
Prevention is not just about removing a tick when one appears. The key lies in using suitable anti-parasitic products, following the recommended treatment schedule and regularly reviewing whether that strategy remains the most appropriate for the pet. According to ESCCAP, effective control of vector-borne diseases requires a thorough understanding of the pathogen, the vector and the animal’s exposure.
That is why it is usually best to tailor preventative measures to the individual animal. A dog that goes out into the countryside, travels or has already been in contact with ticks does not need exactly the same treatment as a cat with little exposure to the outdoors. At Benivet Benissa, we can review this protection in a veterinary consultation to prevent parasites and vector-borne diseases and tailor the recommendation to each individual case.
As an external resource, you can also consult the guide to ESCCAP on vector-borne diseases in dogs and cats, which helps us to better understand why prevention measures must be tailored to the actual risk.
What tests may be required
If there is clinical suspicion, the vet may recommend a combination of physical examination, laboratory tests and specific diagnostic tests, depending on the symptoms and history of exposure. ESCCAP states that the diagnosis of these diseases must be interpreted within the clinical context, as neither the clinical signs nor the test results on their own always allow for a straightforward conclusion.
For some patients, a basic examination and tests are sufficient, but for others it may be necessary to carry out further investigations, including blood tests to detect abnormalities consistent with vector-borne infections, follow-up from veterinary internal medicine or support from Veterinary diagnostic imaging in Benissa if there is respiratory, abdominal or systemic involvement.
When should you book an appointment?
It is advisable to take your pet to the vet if it has had frequent contact with ticks or mosquitoes, or if it shows signs of fever, lethargy, weight loss, loss of appetite, lameness, bleeding, coughing, skin lesions or any general changes that are out of the ordinary. It is also advisable to have patients who have already had a vector-borne disease checked in good time, as they require regular monitoring.
In such cases, booking an appointment early on allows you to decide whether it is enough to step up preventative measures or whether it is necessary to investigate an infection that has already taken hold. You can do this via the contact Benivet Benissa or find out more about the clinic and its veterinary facilities in Benissa, designed to provide comfortable care for dogs and cats.
How we can help you at Benivet Benissa
At Benivet Benissa We assess each pet’s risk of exposure, review which preventive measures make the most sense, and determine which tests may be necessary if there are relevant symptoms. The clinic has over 15 years’ experience and offers services such as general practice, internal medicine, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and comprehensive clinical care in Benissa.
If your dog or cat lives in an area with ticks or mosquitoes, or if you have noticed any changes in their health that give you cause for concern, an early check-up can help with an earlier diagnosis and allow for more effective preventative measures.
