What is the disease called when a tick bites a dog? - briefly
A tick bite can transmit Lyme disease, an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. The condition manifests with fever, lameness, joint swelling, and can affect the kidneys if untreated.
What is the disease called when a tick bites a dog? - in detail
A tick bite can introduce several pathogens into a dog, the most recognized being Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Infection typically produces fever, lameness, swollen joints, and occasional kidney involvement. Diagnosis relies on serologic testing for antibodies or PCR detection of bacterial DNA. Treatment consists of a course of doxycycline (10 mg/kg orally twice daily for 4 weeks) and supportive care for inflammation.
Other tick‑borne illnesses include:
- Ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis): signs of fever, lethargy, thrombocytopenia, and bleeding disorders; treated with doxycycline for 4 weeks.
- Anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum): manifests as fever, joint pain, and neutropenia; doxycycline for 2‑4 weeks is effective.
- Babesiosis (Babesia canis): hemolytic anemia, jaundice, and splenomegaly; therapy combines imidocarb dipropionate and supportive transfusions.
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Rickettsia rickettsii): rare in dogs, produces fever, rash, and vascular damage; doxycycline administered promptly improves prognosis.
Prevention relies on regular use of approved acaricides, tick checks after outdoor exposure, and avoidance of high‑risk habitats. Early recognition and prompt antimicrobial therapy significantly reduce morbidity and mortality associated with these vector‑borne diseases.