Where there are ticks there are tick borne illnesses, some animals (humans included) might be infected with more then one tick borne illness.
What is Erhlichia? - Erhichia is a rickettsial disease. According to the National Travel Health Network and Center “Rickettsial diseases are a group of infections caused by Gram negative bacteria of the genus Rickettsia species. They are zoonotic infections that cause typhus and spotted fevers.”
How did my dog get Erhlichia? - This type of Erhlichia is spread by the brown dog tick. This type is usually diagnosed in tropical and suptropical areas. In the United States of America it is primarily seen in the southeastern and southwestern parts of the country. These areas have large tick populations.
When the tick bites the infection is transmitted through the ticks saliva. The infection spreads (multiplies) within the white blood cells. The infection will eventually spread to and infect other organs and suppress bone morrow resulting in anemia. Unless the dogs immune system is able to fend off the infection the animal can become chronically ill.
Symptoms of Ehrlichia – The infection goes through three different phases.
- The first phase, called the Acute phase lasts 2 – 4 weeks. During this phase the infection is multiplying and spreading to different organs. Symptoms during this phase include but are not limited too: anemia, depression, fever, anorexia (not eating), weight loss, discharge from the eyes and nose, edema or swelling in the legs and scrotum, and swelling of the lymph nodes.
- The second phase is called the subclinical phase and it will appear 6 – 9 weeks after infection. There are few signs of the infection during this phase. The disease can stay in this phase for months or years before progressing to the third phase.
- The third phase is known as the chronic phase. During this phase the bone morrow is suppressed, the result is anemia and a low platelet count and a low white blood cell count. Symptoms during this phase include but are not limited too: severe weight loss, severe weakness, bleeding from the eyes, severe infection in the eyes (uveitis), secondary bacterial infections, and neurological symptoms.
Diagnosis – Your veterinarian can diagnose Ehrlichia by running blood tests, a CBC (complete blood count) will show anemia, low platelet count, and low white blood cell count. The infection can sometimes be seen by examining a blood smear with a microscope. Your veterinarian may also recommend other tests that will look for antibodies.
Treatment – Treatment includes long term antibiotics, usually Doxycycline or Tetracycline. Very sick dogs may need blood transfusions and IV fluids for supportive care.
Additional Information – The chances of survival is usually pretty high, although I have seen some dogs die from the infection. The patient can be reinfected so the use of tick preventatives like Frontline Plus or Preventic collars are necessary.
Related Articles: Flea and Tick Control, Ticks and Dogs, and Ticks and Lyme Disease.
