What can develop in a dog after a tick bite? - briefly
Tick bites may introduce bacterial infections like Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, or cause tick‑borne paralysis and fever. Prompt veterinary evaluation is essential for diagnosis and treatment.
What can develop in a dog after a tick bite? - in detail
Tick attachment can introduce a range of pathogens and trigger inflammatory reactions in dogs. The most common outcomes include:
- Bacterial infections: Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease) causes fever, lameness, joint swelling, and kidney dysfunction. Anaplasma phagocytophilum leads to fever, lethargy, and reduced appetite. Ehrlichia canis produces anemia, thrombocytopenia, and splenomegaly.
- Protozoal disease: Babesia canis may cause hemolytic anemia, jaundice, and dark urine.
- Viral conditions: Tick‑borne encephalitis, though rare, can result in neurological signs such as ataxia and seizures.
- Local reactions: Irritation, erythema, and ulceration at the bite site may develop, sometimes progressing to secondary bacterial infection.
- Allergic hypersensitivity: Some dogs exhibit systemic itching, hives, or anaphylactic shock after a tick bite.
Diagnosis relies on blood tests (PCR, serology, blood smears), urinalysis, and examination of the bite area. Prompt antimicrobial or antiparasitic therapy, tailored to the identified agent, reduces morbidity. Supportive care—fluid therapy, pain management, and anti‑inflammatory medication—addresses systemic effects. Preventive measures, such as regular acaricide use and tick checks, remain essential to minimize exposure and subsequent disease development.