Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Animals
My-Dog.info > Dog Diseases, Bites, Worms & Ticks
What is Rocky Mountain spotted fever?
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a disease caused by the
bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii (rick-ETT-cee-uh
rick-ETT-cee-eye), which is carried by ticks. People usually
start having fevers and feeling nauseous about a week after being
bitten by a tick, although some people do not remember having had
a tick bite. A few days after the fever begins, people who have
Rocky Mountain spotted fever often have a rash, usually on their
arms or ankles. They also may have pain in their joints, stomach
pain, and diarrhea. Sometimes people with this disease are very
sick and have to go to the hospital.
Can animals transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever to me?
Yes, but not directly. People get this disease when they are
bitten by a tick that is carrying the bacterium R. rickettsia.
Because ticks on dogs can be infected with R. rickettsii, dogs
and people can get Rocky Mountain spotted fever from the same
ticks. These ticks can also bite other animals and pass Rocky
Mountain spotted fever to them. When you remove ticks from any
animal, the crushed tick or its parts can also pass this disease
through any cuts or scrapes on your skin.
How can I protect myself from getting Rocky Mountain spotted
fever from my pets?
- When returning from potentially tick-infested areas,
check yourself and your children for ticks, especially in
the hair. Additionally, ticks may be carried into the
household on clothing and pets. Both should be examined
carefully.
- To prevent ticks from getting on your pets, consult your
veterinarian.
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