What is the disease called after a tick bite in dogs? - briefly
The disease commonly transmitted to dogs by tick bites is Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It typically produces fever, joint pain, lethargy, and may lead to kidney complications if untreated.
What is the disease called after a tick bite in dogs? - in detail
The most common tick‑borne illness in canines is Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Infection occurs when an infected Ixodes tick remains attached for 36–48 hours, allowing spirochetes to migrate into the bloodstream.
Other significant tick‑transmitted conditions include:
- Ehrlichiosis – Ehrlichia canis or Ehrlichia ewingii; signs: fever, lethargy, thrombocytopenia, bleeding tendencies.
- Anaplasmosis – Anaplasma phagocytophilum; symptoms: fever, joint pain, lameness, neutropenia.
- Babesiosis – Babesia canis or Babesia gibsoni; clinical picture: hemolytic anemia, jaundice, dark urine.
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever – Rickettsia rickettsii; presents with fever, petechiae, vascular inflammation.
Typical manifestations after a tick bite are:
- Localized inflammation at the attachment site, often with a small ulcer or scab.
- Fever and reduced appetite within days to weeks.
- Musculoskeletal pain, lameness, or joint swelling.
- Hematologic abnormalities such as low platelet count, anemia, or leukopenia.
- Neurologic signs (tremors, seizures) in severe cases of Lyme disease or ehrlichiosis.
Diagnostic confirmation relies on:
- Serologic testing for specific antibodies (ELISA, Western blot).
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect pathogen DNA.
- Blood smear examination for intra‑erythrocytic parasites in babesiosis.
- Complete blood count and chemistry panel to assess organ function and hematologic status.
Treatment protocols:
- Lyme disease – doxycycline 5 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 4 weeks.
- Ehrlichiosis – doxycycline 5 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 3 weeks; severe cases may require supportive fluid therapy.
- Anaplasmosis – same doxycycline regimen as ehrlichiosis.
- Babesiosis – imidocarb dipropionate 6 mg/kg subcutaneously, repeated after 24 hours; severe cases may need blood transfusion.
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever – doxycycline 5 mg/kg orally or intravenously every 12 hours for at least 7 days.
Prevention strategies focus on regular tick control:
- Monthly topical or oral acaricides (e.g., fipronil, selamectin, afoxolaner).
- Environmental management: keep grass short, remove leaf litter, treat kennels with permethrin sprays.
- Routine inspection after outdoor activities; promptly remove attached ticks with fine‑point tweezers, grasping close to the skin and pulling straight outward.
Early recognition and prompt antimicrobial therapy reduce the risk of chronic joint disease, renal complications, and fatal outcomes associated with tick‑borne infections in dogs.