Warning to dog owners as a deadly tick-borne disease enters the UK

Researchers from the University of Bristol are studying thousands of ticks to try to stop the spread of a deadly virus in dogs. >It comes as dog owners are being warned about a deadly tick borne disease that has entered the UK.

There have been four cases of Babesia in the UK, which originates from Eastern and Southern Europe.

The disease is transmitted to dogs through infected ticks and dogs in Essex, are believed to be the first in the UK to have contracted Babesia.>Babesiosis is a rare and often fatal disease which causes animals to experience lethargy, weakness, pale gums, red or brown urine and fever.

Chris Packham, zoologist and broadcaster, checks his dogs regularly.

More than 6,000 ticks have been sent to the Big Tick Project by vets across the country, which will also map instances of Lyme Disease.

The results are due out this Summer.