What explains a dog’s illness after a tick bite? - briefly
The illness arises from pathogens transferred by the attached tick, which enter the bloodstream and provoke systemic infection. Common agents include «Borrelia burgdorferi», «Anaplasma phagocytophilum», «Ehrlichia canis» and other rickettsial organisms, producing fever, lethargy, joint inflammation and anemia.
What explains a dog’s illness after a tick bite? - in detail
Ticks attach to canine skin, feed on blood, and inject saliva containing microorganisms, toxins, and allergens. The resulting illness stems from pathogen transmission, inflammatory reactions, or toxic effects of tick saliva.
Common agents introduced during a bite include:
- Bacterial organisms such as Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum; symptoms often involve fever, lethargy, joint pain, and thrombocytopenia.
- Protozoan parasites like Babesia spp.; clinical picture may feature hemolytic anemia, jaundice, and dark urine.
- Viral agents, for example, tick‑borne encephalitis virus; neurological signs range from ataxia to seizures.
- Rickettsial agents such as Rickettsia rickettsii; presentation includes high fever, petechiae, and vascular inflammation.
Diagnostic evaluation proceeds with:
- Detailed history of recent tick exposure and geographic location.
- Physical examination focusing on fever, lymphadenopathy, mucous membrane color, and neurological status.
- Laboratory testing: complete blood count, serum biochemistry, PCR assays for specific pathogens, and serology to detect antibodies.
- Microscopic examination of blood smears for intra‑erythrocytic parasites.
Therapeutic measures involve:
- Immediate removal of the tick using fine‑pointed tweezers, ensuring the mouthparts are extracted completely.
- Administration of appropriate antimicrobial agents: doxycycline for most bacterial and rickettsial infections, imidocarb for babesiosis, and supportive care for viral cases.
- Symptomatic treatment such as fluid therapy, blood transfusions for severe anemia, and anti‑inflammatory drugs to reduce fever and pain.
- Preventive strategies: regular application of acaricidal collars, spot‑on treatments, or oral tick‑preventive medications; environmental control through yard maintenance and avoidance of high‑risk habitats during peak tick season.
Understanding the specific pathogen, its mode of transmission, and the host’s clinical response enables accurate diagnosis and effective management of illnesses that follow a tick bite in dogs.