Tick fever in dogs is one of the most often seen diseases in Carriacou. 'Tick fever' is a broader term used here, which stands for a disease called 'ehrlichiosis'.
How is ehrlichiosis transmitted?
Ehrlichiosis is caused by a bacteria called 'ehrlichia canis'. In order to survive, it has to live inside of the dog’s white blood cells. The bacteria is transmitted by ticks, a tick called 'Rhipicephalus sanguineus' in particular.
These ticks can infect your dog in either of their life stages, whether they are larval, nymph or adult stages. So if you notice different sized ticks, they are likely all the same species, just at various life stages.
What happens after the tick bites my dog?
During the following 8-20 days, known as the incubation period, the bacteria will reproduce in your dog’s white blood cells. This can result in the cells getting overloaded and then bursting, resulting in the bacteria able to travel in the blood to the liver, the spleen and the lymph nodes.
Various stages of brown dog tick – clockwise from bottom right; larva having fed, nymph having fed, & adult female and adult male.
©Lyle J Buss , University of Florida.
Dog with very pale gums due to severe anemia.
What symptoms will my dog show?
The initial phase of this illness lasts 1-3 weeks, when your dog will be sleepier, have a fever and not be keen on eating. Sometimes they will vomit and start to lose weight.
You or your vet may also notice, pale gums and swellings under the lower jaw, if the bacteria has spread to the lymph nodes.
If not detected and treated, the infection will go into its next, most devious phase, where the bacteria is still present in the dog's body, but it's not causing any visible symptoms. While the dog's immune system keeps the bacteria at bay, the disease lays seemingly dormant within the dog's body. This phase can be months to years long.
The last phase is when a dog develops clinical ehrlichiosis. This happens when the immune system wasn't able to fend off the ehrlichia bacteria and the disease takes completely over. A variety of symptoms may be present at this stage: paleness and anemia, bleeding episodes, eye problems, neurological problems, lameness and joint problems. It may so happens that the bone marrow fails and the dog won't be able to produce any of the essential blood cells anymore, which could end in death.
Can it be treated?
Certain anitbiotics are effective treatment against ehrlichiosis and if detected in time, the chances are good that your dog will recover.
If your dog has a high temperature, and is dehydrated then it may be necessary to hospitalise them for intravenous fluids. In severe cases of anemia a blood transfusion may be necessary.
What can I do when I see ticks on my dog?
If your dog has just a few ticks, you can remove them by grasping the tick with tweezers close to the skin and twisting anticlockwise. This way the head is removed along with the rest of the body.
Either way, a visit with the dog to your vet is advisable. Your vet will be able to check your dog over and look for signs of tick fever. She or he will also be able to provide you with effective tick treatments.
It is important to understand that a constant PREVENTION of ticks with appropriate monthly tablets or veterinary topical treatments is the best way to keep your dog protected from tick fever. Even if your dog already had tick fever and has been treated, it is possible that it can get reinfected, when it gets bitten by another tick carrying the disease.
- Dr. Jo Travers, June 2020