Tick bite fever is generally a chronic disease, although acute deaths may occur. Many people are not aware that this disease is caused by a bacteria Ehrlichia which is a rickettsial bacteria belonging to the family Ehrlichiaceae. In most cases an early diagnosis and treatment will lead to recovery, but diagnosis is difficult in a large proportion of cases. Dog owners and all animal lovers are requested not to delay taking a sick dog to the vet as early, timely treatment is important to keep animals in good shape.
Causes :
Dogs get tick fever from the brown dog tick. When it bites an ehrlichia organism passes into the bloodstream.One another cause of disease is blood transfusion of dog from an infected dog.
Stages :
There are three stages of Ehrlichiosis. The acute stage, The subclinical (subacute) stage, The chronic stage.
*Acute stage lasts for several days after infection and lasting for upto a month or so. It can lead to fever and low peripheral blood cell counts.
*Subclinical/ subacute stage may last months/ can last for the whole life.During this period dog remains infected with the organism.But during this time some dogs are able to successfully eliminate the disease.
*Chronic stage is the most serious stage of infection. After a period of months/ years the dog's immune system is broken down. So low blood cell counts. In results the chances of bleeding, lameness, bacterial infection, ophthalmic disorders, kidney disease, neurological, etc. It can be fatal.
Symptoms :
During the course of the disease at any stage, the following symptoms may be seen.
Partial or total loss of appetite, high fever, vomiting and diarrhea, coughing, weight loss, excessive salivary flow, pussy discharge from the nose and may be from eyes, bleeding from the nose/gums, pale gums due to anemia, lameness, weakness/paralysis, swelling of the hind limbs, acute death due to severe internal bleeding,etc.
Diagnosis :
Very small percentage of cases the organisms are seen in a blood smear. Diagnosis is achieved by serologic testings of the blood, routine tests for the disease. In the mejority of cases, specially subclinical (subacute) and chronic cases, the organisms are seldom seen.The other diagnostic methods are necessary to confirm the disease. The tests should be repeated. Polymerase chain reaction test ( PCR test) can be done to detect genetic material of bacteria. During the subclinical (subacute) and chronic disease many times PCR test shows a negative result. If the disease is present, blood tests may show abnormalities in the numbers of white blood cells, red blood cells and blood platelets. A diagnosis can be made by looking under a microscope at a blood smear for the presence of morula (mulberry). A new DNA test is available which at once looks at 11 different tick borne diseases. This test is extremely sensitive, especially if a biopsy from the lungs or spleen is tested.
Treatments :
Vitamins are prescribed to increasing appetite.Good nutrition is important to give the dog.It is the best chance to fight with the infection.Coagulants may be tried if bleeding occurs.If severe bleeding is there then a fresh blood transfusion is to be done.Antibiotics for a period of at least six to eight weeks can be given but response to the drugs may take one month.So to build dog's strength sometimes steroids may be required. Dog which has clinical signs, must be provided supportive care.
Prevention :
Tick control in dog is the most effective method of prevention . There is no vaccine available against tick bite fever so it is necessary to improve dog's immunity against tick fever.Regular dipping, tick collars, tick sprays is helpful for prevention. As it is generally a chronic disease and it can be fatal so an early diagnosis and treatment only can save dog's life. Do not delay taking a sick dog to the experienced veterinary doctor.
Do not care for only your pet. Make a difference by taking care for all animals, specially who are homeless and suffering on the streets. They desperately need our support and help.
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