What illness can a dog get from a tick? - briefly
Dogs can contract several tick‑borne diseases, most commonly Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and babesiosis. Early detection and treatment are essential to prevent severe complications.
What illness can a dog get from a tick? - in detail
Ticks transmit several pathogens that affect canine health. The most common diseases include:
- Lyme disease – caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Symptoms range from fever, lameness, swollen joints, and kidney dysfunction. Diagnosis relies on serologic testing; doxycycline or amoxicillin are standard treatments.
- Ehrlichiosis – caused by Ehrlichia canis or E. chaffeensis. Clinical signs comprise fever, lethargy, thrombocytopenia, and bleeding tendencies. PCR or ELISA confirm infection; doxycycline administered for 4 weeks is effective.
- Anaplasmosis – caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum or A. platys. Dogs may show fever, joint pain, and low platelet counts. Diagnosis uses PCR or serology; doxycycline is the drug of choice.
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever – caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. Presents with fever, facial edema, petechiae, and neurologic signs. Early treatment with doxycycline improves outcome.
- Babesiosis – caused by Babesia spp. Signs include hemolytic anemia, jaundice, and dark urine. Microscopic blood smear or PCR confirms infection; imidocarb or diminazene aceturate are used.
- Hepatozoonosis – caused by Hepatozoon canis or H. americanum. Dogs ingest infected ticks; disease manifests as fever, weight loss, and muscle wasting. Diagnosis by blood smear or PCR; treatment includes imidocarb and supportive care.
Additional tick‑borne agents such as Cytauxzoon felis and Bartonella spp. occur less frequently but may cause severe systemic illness.
Clinical presentation varies with pathogen load, co‑infections, and host immunity. Laboratory work‑up typically includes complete blood count, serum chemistry, and specific serologic or molecular tests. Prompt antimicrobial therapy, especially doxycycline for bacterial agents, reduces morbidity and mortality.
Prevention relies on regular use of acaricidal products, environmental control, and routine tick checks after outdoor exposure. Vaccination against Lyme disease is available for dogs in endemic regions and should be considered as part of a comprehensive preventive program.