AMRRIC, or Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities, has been working hard to improve the health outcomes for companion animals in remote communities across Australia.
Due to restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic, roughly 27,500 dogs have had reduced access to veterinary services and parasite protection—some have had absences of vet services for more than 12 months.
Further to this, a rare and life-threatening tick-borne disease affecting dogs, Ehrlichiosis, was discovered in the Kimberley in May, and has since been detected in other regions in WA, as well as throughout the NT.
Following the resumption of remote travel, teams of veterinary service providers from AMRRIC and its partners have been on the road non-stop delivering veterinary services and parasite protection.
A key focus for AMRRIC’s vet team has been working to collect samples to allow the NT Department of Primary Industries to test animals for Ehrlichiosis.
To address this growing issue, AMRRIC has secured a large quantity of parasite medication through support from Boehringer Ingelheim, the manufacturers of NexGard. AMRRIC’s investment of $20,000, together with discounts from Boehringer Ingelheim, will result in almost 3000 dogs receiving NexGard—an anti-parasite treatment targeting ticks, fleas and mange.
AMRRIC has also had additional support from PETstock Assist in coordinating stock delivery and providing a $10,500 donation of food and enrichment products for companion animals in remote communities.
“AMRRIC works with our partners to provide support for companion animals in remote communities—when animals are healthy, people and communities are healthy,” AMRRIC CEO Dr Brooke Rankmore said.
“Ehrlichiosis poses a massive threat to the health of not only dogs but the whole community. By providing anti-parasitic medications to at-risk communities, the threat posed by ticks infected with the Erhlichiosis bacteria is lessened.
“The valuable contribution and support provided by Boehringer Ingelheim and PETstock Assist will go a long way in supporting communities with this emerging issues.”
** Vet Parasitol 2013 Nov 8;197(3-4):595-603 “Transmission of Ehrlichia canis by Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks feeding on dogs and on artificial membranes” Fourie , Stanneck, et al
This study found that the Brown dog tick could transmit Ehrlichia canis to dogs in as little as 3 hours
Nexgard takes at least 12 hours to kill ticks – this is definitely not going to protect all dogs from being infected with Ehrlichia canis.