What diseases do dogs contract after a tick bite? - briefly
Ticks transmit several canine illnesses, including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, and, less commonly, tularemia and rickettsial infections. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent severe complications.
What diseases do dogs contract after a tick bite? - in detail
Ticks transmit a range of pathogens that can cause serious illness in canines. The most frequently encountered infections include:
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Lyme disease – caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Early signs: fever, lameness, swollen joints, loss of appetite. Chronic phase may involve kidney disease. Diagnosis relies on serology; doxycycline for 4 weeks is standard therapy.
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Ehrlichiosis – Ehrlichia canis (American) and E. chaffeensis (human‑derived). Clinical picture: fever, thrombocytopenia, anemia, weight loss, ocular hemorrhage. PCR or ELISA confirm infection; doxycycline for 2–4 weeks resolves most cases.
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Anaplasmosis – Anaplasma phagocytophilum and A. platys. Symptoms: fever, lethargy, joint pain, thrombocytopenia, cyclic platelet drop (A. platys). Diagnosis by PCR or serology; doxycycline for 2–4 weeks.
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Rocky Mountain spotted fever – Rickettsia rickettsii. Presents with fever, petechial rash, edema of extremities, severe vasculitis. Prompt doxycycline treatment (often 10 days) is critical to prevent mortality.
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Babesiosis – Babesia canis or B. gibsoni. Manifestations: hemolytic anemia, dark urine, fever, splenomegaly. Blood smear or PCR confirms infection; treatment combines imidocarb (large‑breed) or atovaquone‑azithromycin (small‑breed) with supportive care.
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Hepatozoonosis – Hepatozoon canis and H. americanum. Dogs acquire infection by ingesting infected ticks. Clinical signs: fever, muscle wasting, ocular lesions, lymphadenopathy. Diagnosis via PCR or muscle biopsy; treatment includes combination of imidocarb and doxycycline.
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Tick paralysis – neurotoxic protein from Dermacentor and Ixodes species. Rapid onset of ascending paralysis, dysphagia, respiratory failure. Removal of the attached tick within hours often reverses symptoms; severe cases require ventilatory support.
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Bartonellosis – Bartonella henselae occasionally transmitted by ticks. May cause fever, lymphadenopathy, endocarditis. Diagnosis by culture or PCR; doxycycline is first‑line.
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Mycoplasma spp. – transmitted by soft ticks, leading to respiratory or urinary tract infections. Diagnosis via PCR; doxycycline or fluoroquinolones are effective.
Prevention centers on regular tick control (topical acaricides, oral isoxazoline products, environmental management) and vaccination where available (Lyme vaccine for high‑risk regions). Early detection through routine examinations and prompt removal of attached ticks reduces disease incidence and improves outcomes.