What is the disease called in dogs after a tick bite? - briefly
The condition transmitted to dogs by tick bites is called Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Typical signs include fever, lameness, and joint swelling.
What is the disease called in dogs after a tick bite? - in detail
Ticks can transmit several infectious agents to canines, the most frequently encountered being Lyme disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Other common tick‑borne illnesses include canine ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis), anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum), babesiosis (Babesia spp.), and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Rickettsia rickettsii). Each condition has distinct clinical features, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic protocols.
Lyme disease typically appears 2–5 weeks after a bite. Early signs encompass fever, lameness due to joint inflammation, swollen lymph nodes, and loss of appetite. Chronic infection may lead to persistent arthritis, kidney dysfunction, and neurological deficits. Diagnosis relies on serologic testing (ELISA followed by Western blot) and, when necessary, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of bacterial DNA in joint fluid or tissue. First‑line therapy consists of a 4‑week course of doxycycline (10 mg/kg PO q12h). In severe kidney involvement, supportive care and referral to a veterinary nephrologist are advised.
Ehrlichiosis presents within 1–3 weeks with fever, lethargy, petechial bleeding, and thrombocytopenia. Laboratory findings often reveal low platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes. Confirmation uses PCR or immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) testing. Doxycycline administered at 10 mg/kg PO q12h for 4 weeks is the standard regimen; severe cases may require adjunctive plasma transfusion.
Anaplasmosis shares many signs with ehrlichiosis but frequently includes joint swelling and transient neutropenia. Diagnosis mirrors that of ehrlichiosis, and treatment also employs doxycycline for 4 weeks.
Babesiosis manifests as hemolytic anemia, jaundice, and dark urine. Blood smear examination shows intra‑erythrocytic parasites; PCR provides definitive identification. Treatment combines atovaquone (13.5 mg/kg PO q8h) with azithromycin (10 mg/kg PO q24h) for 10 days, sometimes supplemented with blood transfusions.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is less common in dogs but can cause fever, facial edema, and a characteristic rash on the paws. Early administration of doxycycline (10 mg/kg PO q12h) improves prognosis; delayed therapy increases mortality.
Prevention centers on regular use of approved acaricidal products (spot‑on, collars, oral preventives) and routine tick checks after outdoor activities. Vaccination against Lyme disease is available for dogs in endemic regions and should be incorporated into the preventive schedule.
Prompt recognition of tick‑associated disorders, laboratory confirmation, and immediate initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy are essential to minimize morbidity and mortality in affected canines.