What is the disease in dogs caused by tick bites called? - briefly
The tick‑borne illness most commonly affecting dogs is Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Symptoms may include fever, lameness, and joint inflammation.
What is the disease in dogs caused by tick bites called? - in detail
Canine ehrlichiosis, commonly called tick fever, is the principal tick‑borne illness affecting dogs. The pathogen is Ehrlichia canis, a gram‑negative intracellular bacterium transmitted primarily by the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Other tick species can spread related agents such as Ehrlichia ewingii and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, but E. canis remains the most prevalent cause of clinical disease in domestic dogs.
The infection progresses through three overlapping phases:
- Acute phase (1‑3 weeks): fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, lymphadenopathy, and mild thrombocytopenia. Some dogs develop epistaxis or petechial hemorrhages.
- Subclinical phase (months): normal appearance despite persistent bacteremia; laboratory tests may reveal low‑grade anemia or mild immune‑mediated disorders.
- Chronic phase (6 months‑2 years): weight loss, severe anemia, pancytopenia, hemorrhagic diathesis, splenomegaly, and possible renal failure. Neurological signs, such as ataxia or seizures, may emerge.
Diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical suspicion, laboratory analysis, and specific testing:
- Complete blood count showing thrombocytopenia, anemia, or leukopenia.
- Serum chemistry indicating elevated liver enzymes or azotemia.
- Serologic assays (IFA, ELISA) detecting antibodies to E. canis.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify bacterial DNA in blood or tissues.
- Bone‑marrow aspirate in advanced cases to demonstrate morulae within monocytes.
Treatment protocol:
- Doxycycline 10 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 28 days; this regimen achieves >90 % cure rates.
- Supportive care for severe anemia or bleeding, including blood transfusions and plasma expanders.
- Monitoring of platelet counts and renal function weekly during therapy and monthly for six months after completion.
Prevention strategies focus on tick control and vaccination where available:
- Monthly topical or oral acaricides (e.g., fipronil, afoxolaner, sarolaner) to eliminate ticks on the host.
- Environmental management: regular cleaning of kennels, use of acaricidal sprays, and removal of vegetation that shelters ticks.
- Vaccination against Ehrlichia spp. is licensed in some regions; it reduces disease severity but does not confer absolute immunity.
Prompt recognition and treatment are essential to prevent progression to the chronic, often fatal stage. Regular veterinary examinations, combined with rigorous tick prevention, remain the most effective means of protecting dogs from this vector‑borne disease.