"Paralysis tick vaccine marketed within five years"

by JANE KAHLER

A paralysis tick vaccine should be available within five years as a result of Australian research aimed at producing therapeutic agents from snakes and ticks.

Research led by Associate Professor Kevin Broady at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) is investigating the structure and function of neurotoxins of the Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus. The team has also begun a project to isolate those proteins in the blood of Australian snakes which inhibit the neurotoxins in snake venom.

I. holocyclus causes more than 80,000 cases of tick toxicosis in animals along Australia's east coast each year, killing thousands.

The toxin, contained in the tick's saliva, is of a presynaptic type and so slow acting it has sometimes been demonstrated to take effect even after the tick has been removed.

The longer the tick feeds, the greater the output of saliva (and of the toxin it contains), and the greater is the likelihood of fatality.

Speaking at the recent Horizons of Science Forum organised by the Centre for Science Communication at UTS, Dr Broady said his work aimed to develop a vaccine against I. holocyclus by first isolating the gene encoding the tick protein neurotoxin so that large amounts of toxin could be harvested.

To produce a vaccine, the protein neurotoxin would then be modified to reduce its toxicity without affecting its immunogenicity.

Using similar techniques, Dr Broady's research has already identified proteins from the blood of snakes that inhibit the presynaptic neurotoxins which have phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity, a major component of most snake venoms.

Dr Broady said these proteins inhibited PLA2 activity in the venom of snakes from a wide range of origins. Based on this finding his team plans to develop a "universal" snake antitoxin.

But because PLA2 was also central to inflammatory processes, Dr Broady said he believed these PLA2 inhibitors could also be modified to provide a treatment for human inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and asthma."

"Better weapons are on the way"

"The war against tick paralysis is being waged in Brisbane laboratories. Antitoxin to overcome tick paralysis has been made since the 1940s from serum taken from dogs. Foxhounds are conditioned to withstand heavier and heavier infestations of ticks - up to 200 at a time. It is a long process that produces good results, at a high price. on afflicted pets. But the antitoxin is used reluctantly on humans. in only the gravest of cases. Substantial quantities have to be injected, and too many people have a severe allergic reaction to protein originating in dogs. Brisbane staff of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation have succeeded in producing a more potent serum more quickly in rabbits. and in modifying it so that it promotes immunity without any toxic effects. They are on the way to making not only an improved antitoxin for paralysis victims, but also a vaccine that could be given to pets and livestock and to humans at special risk. A better way of desensitising allergy suff'erers, using an extract from tick salivary glands instead of now- abandoned whole-body extracts. is also in prospect. The last major step is to develop a method of mass-production. This calls for the breaking down and separate identification of all the components of the toxin protein. Then techniques of genetic engineering should be able to do the rest. Researchers are confident of achieving their aims in the l990s."

"Vaccine gives tick the flick"

by MADELEINE COOREY.

IT begins with nausea, a wobbly feeling in the legs and constricted breathing.

It ends in paralysis and death.

But a world-first vaccine designed to prevent a problem that hits about 80,000 pets annuallyis set to break this cycle. Researchers at the University of Technology, Sydney are about to begin clinical tests of a groundbreaking serum to immunise dogs, cats and other farm animals against the ravages of the paralysis tick.

There is a growing incidence of the tick in cattle, horses, alpacas and deer, according to the head of UTS's department of cellular and molecular biology, Kevin Broady, who has secured an international patent for the method of developing the vaccine.

The mostly deadly tick in the world, the paralysis tick, is found along Australia's east coast. Conventional treatment involves removing the tick, adinistering an antivenom and hospitalising the animal for two or three days, at a cost to the owner of between $220 qnd $300.

While animals can be successfully immunnised against cattle tick, which is prevalent in Queensland, until now there has been no vaccine available for the paralysis species.

Associate Professor Broady said there was the potential for the vaccine to be modified to be used against the South Afrocan "spring lamb fever tick" and the North American "lone star tick".

"Up until a few years agoI would have thought it was an Australian market only... but if you can show there's a similar toxin there we can do a similar thing to what we are doing here and there would be a larger market" he said.

Professor Broady said UTS researches identified part of the structure of the neurotoxin ticks inject into their prey several years ago and from that they were able to isolate the gene responsible for the posion and produce a synthetic version.

Production of a commercial vaccine cannot commence until scientists can produce large amounts of the toxin. It would require millions of ticks to get enough poison naturallyto treat only a few animals, Professor Broady said.

Professor Broady said the researchers would continue their work on the effects of ticks on humans, including a search for a cure for people allergic to ticks.

Veterinarian Greg Ross, wo supplied Professor Broady with ticks for research, said the vaccine was a fantastic development.

"It's just going to alleviate so much suffering from animals that are affected", Dr Ross said.

"Tick vaccine trials on the way"

Researchers at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) have produced the world's first tick toxin vaccine, which could save tens of thousands of Australian domestic dogs and farm animals.

UTS and its commercial partner, Novogen (formerly Norvet), are stockpiling the vaccine and will begin trials on dogs in December.

They hope that by the end of 1999 an improved antitick serum will become available, and by the end of 2000 the vaccine will be on the market.

Cell and molecular biology department head Associate Professor Kevin Broady said the vaccine would make full immunisation against tick paralysis possible and reduce the cost of treating affected dogs.

"Current treatment involves administering an immune dog serum, a costly procedure that causes complications when given to animals other than dogs", he said.

More than 80,000 cases of paralysis tick toxicosis, mainly in domestic cats and dogs - are treated each year in eastern Australia.

The most heavily infested area is around Lismore, on the NSW north coast, where the paralysis tick has spread through cattle and deer farms as well as infecting newly introduced livestock species such as alpacas.

Previous efforts to manufacture a vaccine have been frustrated by the tiny amount of venom produced by each tick. However the UTS work progressed rapidly after The Veterinarian reported in July 1996 that the researchers had isolated the gene responsible for the neurotoxin.

Gene splicing and recombinant DNA technology was used to produce the venom in sufficient quantities to use as a vaccine.

"Keep an eye out for any ticks"

By Michele Tydd

The despised tick is now a wanted species in the battle to advance canine and feline wellbeing.

Balgownie vet Mark Allison is calling for pet owners to support a research program by handing over ticks found on animals.

"A tick can kill a dog or cat in 3 days and at last scientists are close to a vaccine to serve as protection, in the form of an annual vaccination," Dr Allison said.

A team of researchers at the University of Technology, Sydney took eight years to find enough toxin ticks to extract the toxin for DNA duplications to make a synthetic poison for a vaccine.

Dr Allison said the first batch was tested recently but didnt work because the shape of the DNA was not perfect.

He said vet clinics throughout the Illawarra had been asked to save all the ticks they could for collection in January for the second batch of vaccine.

"As a tick only holds one-hundredth of a drop of poison we also need help from the public," he said.

"It's a worthwhile project because although ticks are only as big as a pea they can cause real suffering by paralysingthe animal and eventually causing heart failure".

Ticks can be placed in jar and dropped off to any vet in the Illawarra.

"This is an excellent way to make a real contribution to medical breakthrough," Dr Allison said.

Bandicoot Management

A yard close to bushland can be made less attractive to tick hosts such as bandicoots. Regular garden maintenance by controlling tall grasses and weeds helps. Removing leaf litter and controlling snails and slugs should also help. Wear gloves, long sleeves, long pants and use a high grade insect repellant when performing such yard maintenance. Removing the noxious weed lantana (Lantana camara), which seems to be a favourite site for ticks and their hosts, is also useful.

It is possible to live side by side with the native wildlife that visits our gardens. The native animals that may, from time to time call your garden a sanctuary, can be accomodated in purpose-designed areas. Establish a separate area in the garden which provides shelter and food for native birds and animals while your family and pets can use a more formal, manicured area.

Your native animal animal habitat area should be located so it is not a major family or pet thoroughfare. Then, if ticks are present, they are less likely to attach themselves to passing people or pets.

An alternative is to construct bandicoot-proof fencing around the yard. Use fine galvanised wire mesh or any other material with gaps no larger than approximately 20 mm. The foot of the mesh should be buried at least 150 mm and it should rise at least 500 mm above the ground.

Garden Pesticides

Whilst a yard may be sprayed with malathion or pyrethrin products the effect is usually short lived and many normal and desirable insects and arachnids will be destroyed [some of which may actually be predators of tick stages]. A "natural" alternative to chemical sprays is a mixture of chilli (cayenne powder), garlic and vinegar. After being left to brew for a few days, the mixture, sprayed around the garden , will discourage most pests.

Please remember, it is illegal to trap or kill bandicoots unless authorised by NPWS.

Ticks in residential areas and institutional gardens in the Pittwater Shire and adjacent areas

BY BILL CONROY

• historical perspective- ticks in the Pittwater area
• spatial arangements in gardens
• selection of plants and plant groupings
• spraying of ticks in household gardens
• wild gardens
• summary
• about the author of this article

These notes aim to assist householders in tick-prone areas to design and manage their domestic gardens in a way that will minimise various types of tick attacks on humans. They should also serve a similar purpose for institutions with one or more buildings set in garden or natural vegetation surroundings. The information particularly applies to the Pittwater Shire and adjacent areas immediately to the north and south of the lines of road linking Pittwater with the Upper North Shore suburbs of Sydney However, the information could also prove useful in any area of warm moist climate along the East Coast of NSW.

The recommendations relate to the seasonal occurrence and behaviour of the tick species, Ixodes holocyclus, known by the common names: "grass tick" or "seed tick" for the infant, larval, or hatchling stage; "bush tick" for the juvenile, nymphal or intermediate stage; and "shellback" or "paralysis tick" for the adult. With the exception of the adult males, each phase in the tick's life cycle requires a blood feed from a mammal, bird, amphibian or reptile in order to grow and mature [NF: amphibians and reptiles do not support Ixodes holocyclus sp].

Ticks have always been present and a likely hazard for bushwalkers, clearing teams and people with similar contacts with bushy land in the Pittwater and adjacent areas. Periods of very heavy infestation have occurred in the past in association with prolonged dry spells. The current period of general atmospheric warming, accompanied by droughty weather and coinciding with the virtual abolition of in-yard burning appears to have led to a rapid build up of the tick population. In Autumn 1993, after a cool dry summer, the tick population reached plague proportions, and many people were bitten in their own gardens. At the same time there were numerous reports of attacks in the grounds of sporting venues and schools, and on footpaths with vegetative cover. Ticks also invaded houses and other buildings.

The area's tick population remained high throughout 1993, with many nymphal and adult attacks on people and domestic pets. Subsequently, there has been some drop in the intensity of infestation but the danger of tick attack during open air recreation and in domestic gardens remains high. In the current Autumn severe larval attacks with irritating rashes have been suffered by people in Avalon, who had enjoyed 20 years residence in older built-up areas without a tick-bite incident. Investigation showed these attacks had occurred in their home gardens. If the present climatic warming continues, outbreaks similar to that of 1993 can be expected to recur with some frequency and an overall high level of prevalence can be anticipated.

In the light of the situation outlined above it is desirable for householders and institution managers to give careful consideration to the layout of gardens naturally vegetated land.

Individual gardens have a very wide range of vegetation, reflecting personalities of the gardeners and it is difficult to make precise recommendations which will minimise the threat of ticks. What has attempted in the ensuing notes is to provide a broad set of principles which enable householders and institutional managers to clarify their ideas about this in the areas they control. It may still be necessary to seek expert on-the-spot assistance for particular aspects of each area.

SPATIAL ARRANGEMENTS IN GARDENS

Spatial arrangements in gardens should aim to minimise brushing against I with the head, trunk or legs and passing under vegetation from which ticks drop onto a human or animal target. Regularly used pathways to garden plots and garden sheds and other ancillary buildings, and front and back gates should be designed with this in mind. Fence lines should as far as possible be clear, so that a person can walk around them, without contact with vegetation.

Direct contact between vegetation and residential or other occupied structures should be avoided as far as possible, keeping the space around the bases of walls and pile foundations clear and trimming back branches which overhang decks, patios and roofs.

Dense multiand bands of twining creepers such as common Jasmine and some Pandoreas have had a wave of popularity for growing along the rails of verandas and external stairways and as overhead arches above passages and entrance ways. These, unfortunate!y, often carry ticks; both in these sites and on external fences and lattices.

The location of drying arrangements for laundry should receive careful attention. Clothes lines of all types should have the benefit of open-sky above the actual drying area. Even then birds will sometimes drop ticks on external drying clothing and larval ticks can drift onto it with a light breeze. If a heavy tick infestation is known to exist, it is as well to give externally dried clothing a short period in a in a clothes drier with the hot air turned on, when it is first brought into the house.

The prohibition of in-yard burning has resulted in changes in the handling of garden vegetable waste. Lawn clippings, fallen and pruned tree branches, palm and tree-fern leaves and other foliage pile-up in gardens either awaiting transport or their conversion to mulch. It is necessary to consider what should be done to avoid this leading to excessive attraction for small ground animals which can carry ticks into a garden, and the ground-level environment becoming much more favourable to ticks. It is desirable to heap garden vegetable waste in open patches, enjoying maximum access for sun and wind. It Should be turned frequently and can be given a few puffs of spray when this is done. Avoid creating such heaps along fence lines or in shaded areas of the yard, around the boles of trees, and in similar locations.

Another practice which has expanded considerably is the covering of gardens with deep layers of undigested vegetable matter as a sort of protective mulch. This again should be avoided as it makes the ground area more attractiive to ticks. Where this type of mulch is piled on garden beds close to walls foundations it can lead to the invasion of the buildings by ticks. Vegetable waste should not be distributed until it is fully rotted down and it should then be dug into garden beds or raked evenly over other surfaces.

SELECTION OF PLANTS AND PLANT GROUPINGS

This is the aspect of gardening for which it is the most difficult to make precise recommendations which fit every individual case. It is not a case of some plants being inherently attractive to ticks and others not. The difficulties can perhaps be best understood when some extreme examples are quoted. In conditions of very heavy infestation, which were described as occurring 1993, ticks virtually treated any object giving some elevation above ground level, as a suitable site for attempts to locate a food source. They were seen on every type of annual and perennial plant and on inanimate objects such as gates and fence posts. Again, there are well known areas in Avalon where people cannot mow their lawns at certain times of the year without being attacked by ticks i.e. while generally short lawn grass is less likely to carry ticks than bushy shrubbery there is no guarantee that you will not be bitten while mowing the lawn or picnicking on the grass.

Given that these sort of extremes exist and strengthen the arguments for intelligent use of insecticides gardeners can still consider the range of plants available to them in terms of their degree of likelihood of being involved in harbouring ticks and their attractiveness for various reasons such as visual amenity, shade and windbreaks.

Ticks are most attracted by moist warm conditions. They hibernate when temperatures fall and avoid direct sunlight and drying low-humidity winds, seeking protection in dense foliage or under scaly bark Thus, among trees shrubs the smooth-barked species with large shiny well spaced leaves are less likely to harbour ticks than those with rough or papery barks and dense tightly packed or furry foliage. Among native trees and shrubs, Eucalyptus, Angophoras, Tristanias, Brachychitons, Clerodendrum and Acronychia are less likely to be harbouring ticks than species of Grevillea, Hakea, Leptospermum, Melaleuca, Casuarina and Kunzea. The latter group group tend to have tightly packed fine leaves or leaflets towards the end of their branches giving the sort of moist sheltered conditions where ticks can await opportunity to brush off on a passing human or animal.

Certain shrubs and small trees have the habit of repeated low branching the base of the trunk, and combine the heavy ground cover of a dense canopy with the above mentioned characteristic of increasingly moist dense leafage towards the ends of branches. The likelihood of these harbouring ticks is always very high. The group includes the introduced weed species Iantana and privet and several of the native Leptospermums such as the coast ti-tree. The dense thickety growth which these species rapidly develop in any location is matched by that of the weed species of introduced tall grasses such as bamboo and pampas grass, also often associated with tick infestation.

Various species of natives in the genera Grevillea, Hakea, Leptospermum, Callistemon and Melaleuca have been used to form tall hedges for shade or windbreak purposes, combining an attractive appearance with this useful function. Unfortunately, these and lower growing boxed hedges provide an environment attractive to ticks and should be managed either by spraying when ticks are prevalent or by wearing treated protective clothing when working among them. The same is true of lax creepers such as the introduced Primrose Jasmine planted in dense rows to form dividing hedges in gardens, and dense masses of twiners such as common jasmine, already mentioned in the section above on spatial arrangements.

It remains to mention various types of ground cover including low-growing ferns. Soft creepers of various sorts are often employed. Gardeners in the also tend to have a constant fight with aggressive weed species in this group such as Tradescantia (Wandering Jew and its allies) and Wild Asparagus. Virtually all species in the group create a ground environment favourable to ticks and should be kept in small patches or sprayed with insecticide when tick prevalent.

SPRAYING OF TICKS IN HOUSEHOLD GARDENS

People often ask if it is possible to obtain preparations which can be spray the plants in gardens and give control of ticks. Widespread concern for the environment and about toxic effects on humans, domestic and native a and plant species is shown by most of the questioners.

Potassium oleate, a natural soap, can easily be carried by dissolving in water and is effective against various pests such as thrips and aphids, interfering with their respiratory processes. It will control the larval and early nymphal ticks but not the more mature nymphs and the adults. It is a very benign substance, but should not be relied on in any situation where older nymphs and adults are a major problem, particularly from about the middle of the year to early Autumn. Most nurseries and garden service stores stock preparations of this under proprietary names.

Pyrethrum, a fully natural product, is toxic to all phases of the life-cycle of ticks. It is recommended that it be used in water dispersible forms, both because of convenience and because these are the least damaging environmentally. Pyrethrum concentrates are usually sold by nurseries or garden services in 1 litre or 2 litre quantities, suitable for 20 to 40 times dilution. During periods of heavy infestation, gardens must be resprayed every few weeks, and whenever rain has fallen.

In instances where particularly heavy infestation is occurring, usually cIose to a source such as a busbland area, there may be a good case for using a stronger chemical insecticide once or twice in the season of greatest prevalence followed up with the more benign sprays at a later stage. Most of the common agricultural pesticides will effectively knock out ticks. However, it is to get expert advice when contemplating such a course of action.

WILD GARDENS

Many gardeners like to maintain a section of wild land in their garden for the opportunity it gives to observe and preserve native plant species and visitors to such an area such as birds, possums, gliders etc. This is best done in blocks of normal residential size by maintaining a section two to four metres deep adjacent to the back fence. This allows observation from the outside at times when there is a high risk of tick attack and minimises difficulties about entering the area for weeding and maintenance. Such a strip can be sprayed wiith water-dispersible pyrethrum solution without having to enter the wild garden.

Island patches of wild garden are really suitable for areas much larger than normal residential blocks. In terms of the considerations outlined under Arrangements" they should have adequate clear pathways around them and in institutional grounds it may be necessary to have signs warning of the possibility of tick bites.

For the much smaller number of people who desire a complete wild garden occupying all the area not covered by structures, the earlier comments about cleared set-backs from the bases of walls and other external structures should be carefully noted and consideration given to requirements of protective clothing and the pre-spraying of areas where maintenance is to be done. Such a wild garden can be extremely rewarding in terms of visual amenity and scientific interest, but the problems for human health should not be underestimated.

SUMMARY

Summarising the information presented in the foregoing notes the points can be itemised as follows:

1. Outbreaks of tick infestation in private and institutional gardens in the Pittwater and adjacent areas are likely to continue to occur.

2. To combat these outbreaks, so as to minimise adverse effects on health and welfare, householders and managers should carefully study the details of the local climate to develop an awareness of the type of weather leading to outbreaks of infestation, the behaviour of the birds and animals of their area which might bring ticks to their gardens, and the growth rates and space requirements of the plants in their gardens.

3. It may be necessary to carry out insecticidal spraying at certain times and suitable sprays and equipment can usually be obtained without too much difficulty.

4. A careful selection should be made of the plants to be included or preserved in private gardens. This selection should be made with a view to isolating tick-prone plants and giving them appropriate treatment when ticks are prevalent. It should also aim at the control of the growth of those which may be retained for their visual attractiveness but become unmanageabIe habitat for ticks when out of control. Spatial arrangements are extremely important in this respect.

Bill Conroy is a retired agricultural scientist who has had a long career in the tropics and was, on a number of occasions, co-opted to work as a medical entomologist and parasitologist, most importantly during Wo4d War II when he commanded a malaria control unit in the Australian Army. His career has given him widespread experience of tick and other arthropod-borne diseases in both human's and animals. Bill has lived in the Pittwater area for many years and been an active member of the Tickborne Diseases Research Unit (TRDU) since 1993.

As a skin repellent DEET is apparently the most effective topical insect repellent for humans. It's chemical name is N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide. "DEET" repels a variety of mosquitoes, chiggers (larval mites of the genus Trombicula), ticks, fleas and biting flies; no topical repellent is effective against stinging insects such as bees and wasps. The US Armed Forces have long used 75% DEET in ethanol, but several products that equal or exceed this concentration are now available commercially and all share the side effects of increased toxicity. Ultrathon contains only 35% DEET (so it is also safe in children). Other repellents effective against both mosquitoes and ticks, but less so than DEET, include 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol (Rutgers 612) and dimethyl phythalate. Citronella-based repellents (Natrapel; and others) may provide short term protection against mosquitoes, but are probably not effective against ticks.
As a Clothing Repellent: Permethrin (see also Permoxin® used for dogs), actually a pesticide rather than a repellent, is used for treatment of lice and is also marketed as a clothing spray for protection against both mosquitoes and ticks. The aerosol is available in many areas of the USA as Permanone Tick Repellent (.5% permethrin) sold mostly in lawn and garden stores or sports stores.
Adverse Effects: DEET is absorbed through the skin into the systemic circulation; about 10% to 15% of each dose can be recovered from the urine. Toxic and allergic reactions have been reported to DEET. The drug has been associated with bullous eruptions (blisters) and contact urticaria (hives). Toxic encephalopathy has occurred with excessive or prolonged use of DEET, particularly in infants and children (DL Edwards and CE Johnson, Clin Pharm, 6:496, 1987). Permethrin is toxic to the nervous system of insects but in mammals the drug is poorly absorbed or rapidly inactivated by ester hydrolysis. Objective signs of skin toxicity such as edema, erythema, and rash have been uncommon, and adverse systemic effects have not been reported.
Conclusion: DEET containing insect repellents applied to the skin or clothing can prevent mosquito and tick bites, but DEET may cause allergic and toxic effects in children and adults, especially when used on the skin repeatedly in high concentrations. Wearing protective clothing treated with permethrin, in addition to using 35% micro encapsulated DEET on exposed skin, provides the greatest degree of protection against mosquito and tick bites.

Permethrin in cats: warning against use of some permethrin products in cats (letter)
JAVMA 213,6,Sept.15,1998 800
The popularity of over-the-counter "spot-on" products for flea control (not to be confused with products containing imidacloprid or fipronil) on dogs has increased because of efficacy, ease of administration, and overall safety. When permethrin-containing "spot-on" products are used on dogs, as directed by the label, adverse reactions are uncommon. Unfortunately, many pet owners do not follow label directions or warnings and apply the products in an off-label manner to cats.The inappropriate application of dog-only permethrin-containing flea "spot-on" formulations on cats results in severe toxicosis. In contrast to premise products and some "spot-on" sprays that contain low concentrations of permethrin, which are not a serious hazard to cats,"spot-on" products contain either 45% or 65% permethrin in 1 to 2 ml vials. If aggressive treatment is not initiated immediately, exposed cats can develop severe tremors and seizures and die within 24 hours . The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals National Animal Poison Control Center recommends a treatment protocol involving tremor or seizure control, dermal decontamination, and supportive care. In our experience, control of seizure activity is often challenging. We have found the antispasmodic methocarbamol' to be effective in most cats for controlling severe tremor and seizure activity. Methocarbamol is approved for use in cats and should be administered at the rate of 55 to 220 mg/kg (25 to 100 mVlb) of body weight. Administer half the dose rapidly, but do not exceed 2 ml/min, pause until the cat begins to relax, then continue administration to effect. Do not exceed the labeled maximum dose of 330 mg/kg/d (150 mg/lb/d). A combination of diazepam and methocarbamol, or use of pentobarbital or mask induction with isoflurane or other anticonvulsant protocol, may be required to control resistant seizure activity. Complete elimination of random muscle activity may not occur during initial treatrnent.
Exposed cats should be thoroughly bathed with a mild hand dish detergent (eg, Dawn or Palmolive). Maintenance of a normal body temperature is important. Marked hyperthermia can result from prolonged seizure activity, whereas hypothermia can result from bathing and from sedation following administration of anti-convulsant(s). Hypothermia actually exacerbates clinical signs and prolongs recovery. Good nursing care, including nutritional and fluid support, also speeds time to recovery. Atropine administration should be avoided because it is not antidotal and could be harmful in excessive doses. We have had no reports of permanent effects following recovery unless the pet experienced trauma, hypoxia, or prolonged hyperthermia during seizure activity. Early, aggressive treatment often results in recovery in 24 to 72 hours.
As veterinarians, we have the opportunity to educate our clients on the proper use of insecticides in accordance with label directions and warnings.Insecticidal products are registered by the Environmental Protection Agency and legally can only be used according to label directions.
Petra A. Volmer, DVM, MS
Safdar A. Kahn, DVM, PhD
Michael W. Knight, DVM
Steven R. Hansen, DVM, MS
Urbana, Ill
'Robaxin-V injectable, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Overland Park, Kan.