A Tick-Tock countdown for Ticks

To best safeguard your dog against hepatozoonosis, the key strategy is to minimize their exposure to ticks, says Yung-Tsun Lo (D.V.M., Ph.D) from Bioguard Corporation

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Hepatozoonosis is a tick-borne disease caused by two types of protozoan parasites: Hepatozoon canis and Hepatozoon americanum. H. canis is widespread in many regions of the world, while H. americanum is mainly found in the southern and southeastern regions of the United States.

Dogs get infected with Hepatozoon when they eat infected ticks, which release the parasites into the dog's body and spread to various organs. H. canis causes mild symptoms, such as swollen lymph nodes, pale gums, and fatigue, or no symptoms at all. H. americanum causes severe symptoms, such as fever, weight loss, muscle pain, eye discharge, and muscle loss. The dog may also become very sensitive to touch and scratch or hurt itself.