Overview
Ehrlichiosis is a disease that principally affects stock cells . It is triggered by bacteria that are spread by ticks . This disease was first discovered in the United States in the seventies and increased in frequency throughout the 1980s and 1990s .
accord to the Companion Animal Parasite Council , nearly 3 pct of dogs within the United States tested positive for ehrlichiosis in 2022 ( 1 ) .
What is Ehrlichiosis?
Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial contagion that can be triggered by several differentEhrlichiaspecies . The species most unremarkably involve in canine ehrlichiosis areEhrlichia canisandEhrlichia ewingii .
Both of these bacteria are also subject of causing human infection , although humans are most unremarkably infected with a differentEhrlichiaspecies . It is significant to mention , however , that humans can not get this tick - borne disease direct from an infected dog . contagion can only pass through the chomp of an septic tick .
Ehrlichiosis is a disease that is seen worldwide . Within the United States , ehrlichiosis is most common in the Southwest and Southeast .
Any breed of bounder can be infected with ehrlichiosis . German Shepherdsappear to be more susceptible to this infection than other breeds , but the causa of this sensitivity is unknown .
WhatCausesEhrlichiosis in Dogs?
Ehrlichiosis is spread through the pungency of an infected tick .
When tick larvae hatch out of their eggs , they immediately begin to look for for an animal to feed on . If they feed on a dog or a wild animal with ehrlichiosis , that tick becomes infected with bacteria . This infection will persist within the tick as the tick preserve to mature to adulthood , resulting in the tick spread the infection to any human or brute that it feeds upon .
Once the bacteria have entered a dog through a tick bite , the bacteria replicate and spread throughout the dog ’s bloodstream .
Which Ticks Transmit Ehrlichiosis to Dogs?
The most mutual suit of ehrlichiosis , Ehrlichia genus Canis , is typically disperse by theBrown Dog Tick .
Ehrlichia ewingii , a less vulgar cause of ehrlichiosis , is primarily spread by the bite of the Lone Star Tick .
Other ticking species may spread other melodic phrase of ehrlichiosis , but these are far less potential to infect dogs .
EhrlichiaSymptomsin Dogs
The most significant symptom of ehrlichiosis are seen in dogs that are infected withEhrlichia canis . These domestic dog tend to go through a dictated progression of clinical sign .
In the needlelike phase of infection , which occurs 1 - 3 weeks after the bite of an septic tick , domestic dog may develop signs such as feverishness , exercising weight loss , and bother external respiration . This sudden sickness may be meek and dismissed by pet parent , or it may be hard enough to warrant look for veterinary care . After a few week , signs of illness typically resolve .
Dogs then enrol a stage that is referred to as subclinical infection . Dogs typically have no seeable sign of unwellness during the subclinical form , although they may have trouble with pedigree clotting if they become injured . In some cases , the shape keep to build and dogs develop clinical ehrlichiosis . In this phase , signs may admit bleeding disorders , gimp , and other issues .
Dogs infect withEhrlichia ewingii , the less common form of ehrlichiosis , develop dissimilar clinical planetary house . These hot dog may develop feverishness , lethargy , limping , GI signs , and neurological signs .
Ehrlichiosis symptom in wiener may include any of the pursual :
Diagnosing This Conditionin Dogs
If your hot dog has nonspecific signs of illness , such as those realize with ehrlichiosis , your veterinarian will in all likelihood begin by do descent trial run . A complete blood cubicle count and serum biochemistry permit your veterinarian to assess your dog ’s overall health , including red bloodline jail cell reckoning , white blood cell count , platelet count , and organ function run . If your bounder has ehrlichiosis , these blood tests typically show an abnormally crushed platelet count and blue blood protein level . Red ancestry cellphone counts and white blood jail cell counts may also be shrink .
The most common test for ehrlichiosis is an in - house mental test that detectsEhrlichia canis . This mental test can be run in the veterinary clinic and provide accurate results in approximately 10 minutes . In - house testing may be do on dogs with suspect ehrlichiosis , but it is also often do as a part of yearly wellness testing in dogs . Many heartworm tests used by veterinary clinics also include a mental testing forEhrlichia canis .
Other test are available to detect less - commonEhrlichiaspecies . These tests often need sending a blood sample distribution to an off - site research lab for analysis . It may take several days to receive the results from these trial .
How to TreatEhrlichiosis in Dogs
Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial infection . Therefore , the most crucial ingredient of ehrlichiosis handling in dog-iron is antibiotic .
Canis familiaris that are gravely ominous may postulate additional intervention . In some compositor’s case , medicament may be required to turn to pain and fervor . Canis familiaris with substantial haemorrhage problem may need to be hospitalise for blood transfusion , to treat anaemia and downcast cell counts .
Medications to Treat Ehrlichiosis in Dogs
Doxycyclineis an unwritten antibiotic used to process ehrlichiosis . This antibiotic is used to address a motley of tick disease . Doxycycline may be given in tablet or capsule material body . Treatment with doxycycline is typically keep on for four week , in rescript to amply get rid of the contagion . The most unwashed side upshot of doxycycline are sickness and vomiting . yield the medication with food may fall side effects . In some cases , other antibiotics that are closely related to to doxycycline , such as minocycline or tetracycline , may be used .
Prednisonetablets may also be afford in severe typeface , to trim inflammation associated with ehrlichiosis . Side effects of Meticorten may include increase thirst and urination , increased appetite , and increased pant . These side effects typically resolve once the medicine is quit .
General Cost to Treat Canine Ehrlichiosis
The cost of ehrlichiosis treatment depends on the severity of the disease . In dogs with modest disease , requiring only doxycycline , the price of medication may drift from $ 25-$100 .
In dog with stark signs of disease , requiring lineage transfusions and more belligerent intervention , the toll may increase to thousands of dollars .
How to PreventDogs From Contracting Ehrlichiosis
The only room to prevent ehrlichiosis is to ensure that your detent is not exhibit to tick . For most dogs , this requires the use of year - troll tick bar . There are a routine of different types of check prevention available , including unwritten medications , topical medications , and check taking into custody . check mark prevention not only prevents ehrlichiosis , but also prevents other tick borne disease in dogs .
Talk to your veterinary to determine the best tick prevention for your deary .
