What illnesses can a dog get from a tick bite? - briefly
Tick bites can transmit several serious diseases to dogs, including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Prompt removal of ticks and veterinary testing are essential to prevent complications.
What illnesses can a dog get from a tick bite? - in detail
Ticks transmit a range of pathogenic agents that affect canine health. Each disease presents distinct clinical patterns, diagnostic requirements, and therapeutic protocols.
«Lyme disease» – infection with Borrelia burgdorferi. Common signs include fever, lameness due to polyarthritis, and renal complications. Diagnosis relies on serologic testing (ELISA, Western blot) or PCR of joint fluid. Doxycycline administered for 4 weeks is the standard treatment; early intervention reduces the risk of chronic kidney disease.
«Anaplasmosis» – caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Dogs may exhibit fever, lethargy, anorexia, and thrombocytopenia. Blood smear may reveal morulae in neutrophils; PCR confirms species. Doxycycline for 2–4 weeks resolves most infections.
«Ehrlichiosis» – Ehrlichia canis infection. Clinical phases progress from acute fever and lymphadenopathy to subclinical carrier state, then chronic disease with pancytopenia, weight loss, and ocular lesions. Diagnosis combines serology (IFA) and PCR. Doxycycline for 4 weeks is effective; chronic cases may require supportive care.
«Rocky Mountain spotted fever» – Rickettsia rickettsii transmission. Symptoms include high fever, petechial rash, and severe vasculitis. PCR of blood or skin biopsy confirms diagnosis. Prompt doxycycline therapy (10 mg/kg BID for 7–10 days) is critical to prevent fatal outcomes.
«Babesiosis» – infection with Babesia spp. Hemolytic anemia, icterus, and splenomegaly characterize the disease. Blood smear reveals intra‑erythrocytic parasites; PCR identifies species. Treatment combines imidocarb dipropionate and supportive blood transfusions when indicated.
«Hepatozoonosis» – caused by Hepatozoon canis or H. americanum. Dogs acquire infection by ingesting infected ticks. Clinical picture includes fever, muscle wasting, and ocular inflammation. Diagnosis uses blood smear, PCR, or muscle biopsy. Combination therapy with doxycycline, imidocarb, and pyrimethamine‑sulfadiazine is recommended.
«Tick‑borne encephalitis» – rare in dogs but possible with TBE virus. Neurological signs such as ataxia, seizures, and paresis may appear. Serology and PCR on cerebrospinal fluid support diagnosis. No specific antiviral treatment exists; supportive care is the mainstay.
«Tularemia» – Francisella tularensis infection, occasionally transmitted by ticks. Acute fever, lymphadenopathy, and ulcerative skin lesions are observed. Culture or PCR confirms the pathogen. Streptomycin or gentamicin constitutes first‑line therapy.
Preventive measures include regular acaricide application, routine tick checks, and vaccination where available (e.g., Lyme vaccine). Early detection and prompt antibiotic therapy reduce morbidity and mortality associated with tick‑borne canine diseases.