By Danilo Gladow
Malaria? A deadly tropical disease that you get infected with, if at all, on vacation. In Berlin and Brandenburg it is now on the rise – in dogs.
More and more cases of babesiosis, also known as canine malaria, are being reported from the capital and the neighboring country. If it is not recognized in time, it is usually fatal. The small animal clinic at Freie Universität Berlin alone has reported 49 cases in recent years – seven dogs have died.
The Brandenburg state hunting association is now warning of the spread of the disease transmitted by the alluvial forest tick (Dermacentor reticulatus). In the district of Teltow-Fläming, an official veterinarian reported a sharp increase in the number of cases last weekend.
Tick expert Prof. Ard M. Nijhof from the Free University of Berlin: “Babesiosis is an extremely dangerous infectious disease!” Photo: Olaf Selchow
How should owners behave in an emergency?
The same applies as before: Check dogs regularly for parasites!
According to tick expert Prof. Ard M. Nijhof from Freie Universität (FU), ticks only begin to transmit the toxic saliva after several hours.
If this is the case, “high fever, pale mucous membranes, tiredness, lethargy, red urine” are possible symptoms.
Schoolgirl Lotti W. (19) with her Border Collie Finni (10 months): “I haven’t noticed anything about canine malaria. Finni always has a lot of ticks. Luckily she hasn’t had any illnesses so far. With her long fur, she’s predestined for it.” Photo: Olaf Selchow
“Then go to the vet immediately! This is an emergency,” advises Nijhof. And further: “Due to the massive loss of red blood cells, the animal can die quickly.”
If treatment is started immediately, the chances of recovery are good.
Werner Schaper (73, chemist) with half-breed Gustav (13): “Ticks are really crap! And nobody needs such diseases. I regularly drip tick repellent on Gustav’s neck. Everything has been fine since then” Photo: Olaf Selchow
The expert: “Use tick repellents all year round!” According to Nijhof, chemical-based agents provide much more reliable protection than natural ones.
The alluvial forest tick: It is considered one of two species of ticks that can transmit canine malaria Photo: Private
Sabine Noack (62), who meets BZ in the dog exercise area at Grunewaldsee, sees it that way: “I give pills.” She has tried everything. “Organic things didn’t do anything except ticks,” says Noack. She hasn’t had any problems with the annoying parasites for years.