What is the disease called when a dog is bitten by a tick? - briefly
The illness commonly resulting from a tick bite in dogs is Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Other tick‑borne infections such as ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis may also occur, but Lyme disease is the most frequently recognized.
What is the disease called when a dog is bitten by a tick? - in detail
A tick bite can introduce several pathogens into a canine host, the most frequently recognized condition being Lyme disease. The infection is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted when an infected Ixodes tick remains attached for 24–48 hours.
Clinical manifestations vary with disease stage. Early signs often include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and transient lameness due to joint inflammation. As infection progresses, chronic arthritis, kidney involvement (Lyme nephritis), and neurologic deficits may develop. Laboratory confirmation relies on serologic testing (ELISA followed by Western blot) or polymerase chain reaction detection of bacterial DNA in blood or tissue samples.
Treatment protocols typically involve a 4‑week course of doxycycline at 5 mg/kg orally twice daily. Alternative antibiotics—amoxicillin or ceftriaxone—are reserved for cases where doxycycline is contraindicated. Supportive care may include anti‑inflammatory drugs to alleviate joint pain and fluid therapy for renal involvement.
Prevention focuses on reducing tick exposure and interrupting pathogen transmission. Effective measures comprise:
- Regular application of approved acaricidal collars, spot‑on treatments, or oral preventatives.
- Monthly inspection of the dog’s coat and immediate removal of attached ticks with fine‑tipped tweezers, grasping close to the skin and pulling straight out.
- Landscape management to lower tick habitat, such as keeping grass trimmed and removing leaf litter.
- Annual vaccination against B. burgdorferi in endemic regions, administered according to veterinary guidelines.
Other tick‑borne diseases affecting dogs include ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis), anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum), and babesiosis (Babesia spp.). Each presents distinct hematologic abnormalities and requires pathogen‑specific diagnostic tests and therapeutic regimens, underscoring the importance of comprehensive tick control and prompt veterinary evaluation after any bite.