What diseases do ticks cause in dogs? - briefly
Ticks can transmit Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, and tick paralysis to dogs. These infections often cause fever, lethargy, joint pain, or neurological deficits and require immediate veterinary treatment.
What diseases do ticks cause in dogs? - in detail
Ticks transmit several serious canine illnesses. The most prevalent agents include bacteria, protozoa, and parasites that affect multiple organ systems.
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Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease) – causes fever, lameness, joint swelling, and kidney dysfunction. Diagnosis relies on serology and PCR; doxycycline for 4 weeks is standard therapy. Early treatment prevents chronic arthritis and glomerulonephritis.
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Ehrlichia canis (canine ehrlichiosis) – presents with fever, lethargy, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. Acute phase may resolve spontaneously, but chronic infection leads to pancytopenia and immune-mediated hemolysis. Tetracycline-class antibiotics for 28 days are effective; supportive care addresses hematologic deficits.
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Anaplasma phagocytophilum (anaplasmosis) – induces fever, musculoskeletal pain, and neutropenia. Laboratory findings show morulae within neutrophils. Doxycycline for 14 days yields rapid clinical improvement.
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Rickettsia rickettsii (Rocky Mountain spotted fever) – rare in dogs but can cause high fever, petechial rash, and respiratory distress. Prompt doxycycline administration (10 mg/kg BID) reduces mortality.
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Babesia spp. (babesiosis) – intra‑erythrocytic parasites cause hemolytic anemia, icterus, and splenomegaly. Diagnosis via blood smear or PCR. Treatment combines imidocarb dipropionate with supportive transfusions as needed.
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Hepatozoon canis (hepatozoonosis) – transmitted when a dog ingests an infected tick. Clinical signs include fever, weight loss, and ocular lesions. Therapy consists of a combination of imidocarb and trimethoprim‑sulfadiazine for several weeks.
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Tick paralysis – neurotoxic protein released by certain tick species leads to progressive weakness and respiratory failure. Removal of the attached tick usually results in rapid recovery; severe cases may require intensive respiratory support.
Diagnosis across these conditions depends on a combination of clinical examination, complete blood count, serum biochemistry, and specific laboratory assays (ELISA, PCR, immunofluorescence). Differential diagnosis should consider other infectious and inflammatory diseases with overlapping signs.
Prevention emphasizes regular acaricidal treatment, environmental control, and routine tick checks after outdoor exposure. Broad‑spectrum topical or oral products containing permethrin, fipronil, or isoxazoline classes provide reliable protection against the majority of tick vectors. Vaccination is available for Lyme disease in endemic regions and should be incorporated into comprehensive preventive protocols.