What
It Is
Ehrlichiosis, often called tick fever or tropical canine pancytopenia,
is a tick-transmitted disease affecting dogs. The brown dog tick carries
the organism causing Ehrlichiosis and transmits the disease while
feeding on the dog's blood.
Symptoms
The disease has two
phases, acute and chronic. The acute phase occurs 1-3 weeks following
tick exposure. Clinical signs of illness are non-specific and may
include listlessness, swollen lymph nodes, anorexia, fever, nervous
signs and discharges from the nose and eyes. The signs of the chronic
phase may include those mentioned for the acute phase plus nosebleeds or
other abnormal bleeding, weight loss and eye problems. The chronic phase
may occur several months following the acute phase.
In both phases, the damage done to the body relates to destruction and
decreased production of all blood cells (red blood cells, white blood
cells and platelets). This leads to anemia, decreased resistance to
disease, infection and abnormal bleeding. German Shepherds seem
especially susceptible to the disease.
Diagnosis
Although clinical signs and history of prior tick infestation
are helpful, accurate diagnosis depends upon blood testing. Due to the
very small size of certain life stages of the tick, frequently owners
are unaware their pet has even had a tick bite.
Treatment
The acute phase of the
disease usually responds to treatment within a short period of time. The
chronic phase is difficult to treat and may require several months of
therapy. Treatment for both phases usually involves specific
antibiotics, but may include other supportive care. Unfortunately, the
chronic form of the disease can be fatal.
Prevention
The best prevention of the disease is to keep your dog free of ticks.
This should include checking the skin daily for ticks, treating the dog
with tick products and having your home and yard sprayed for ticks.
Remember, tick size can range from the size of a period at the end of
this sentence to over ½ centimeter. The very small ticks are difficult
to detect.
