Powassan Virus in ticks

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

I just read about this - but the article is aimed towards human illness. Granted, it seems pretty rare (for now) - but how does this affect dogs? Since they're the ones most likely to get bitten by an infected tick to start with...

Powassan

On edit - I'm finding Powassan also referred to as an encephalitis. That ratchets up the "scary", IMO

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Dog Folks wrote:


Informed as above. O.K. Scared? Don't worry. It is not anything worth worry.

😉 Of course, I'm from Michigan, where the scariest things in our woods are ticks and mosquitoes.....LOL!

[Dog_Folks]

Deb & Ed said:" I agree that 6 cases per year is inconsequential - but they're mentioning the Great Lakes as an area where there have been cases; and since it's my stomping grounds, it's good to be informed on these things."

Certainly nothing wrong with being informed. Just in case.


Deb & Ed said: "That ratchets up the "scary",

Informed as above. O.K. Scared? Don't worry. It is not anything worth worry.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

dturm wrote:
I did a search on my vet sources and the specialists say no known cases in dogs, whether or not it's a canine pathogen is unknown.

Just another reason to use tick preventive measures.

Thanks, Dr Doug - I guess it's a bit reassuring to hear of "no known cases". At least *I* can put together "I was bitten by a tick and now I'm sick - GO TO A DR IMMEDIATELY".

I agree that 6 cases per year is inconsequential - but they're mentioning the Great Lakes as an area where there have been cases; and since it's my stomping grounds, it's good to be informed on these things.

[Dog_Folks]

dturm wrote:
I did a search on my vet sources and the specialists say no known cases in dogs, whether or not it's a canine pathogen is unknown.

Just another reason to use tick preventive measures.

X2 on tick preventative measures.

[dturm]

I did a search on my vet sources and the specialists say no known cases in dogs, whether or not it's a canine pathogen is unknown.

Just another reason to use tick preventive measures.

[Dog_Folks]

The first two lines of the article you linked:"Powassan (POW) virus is transmitted to humans by infected ticks. Approximately 60 cases of POW virus disease were reported in the United States over the past 10 years."

6 cases a year. IMHO Statistically irrelevant. Many other things are trying much harder to kill me. 🙂