Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs

— By Dr. Ivan Alvarez — 

Ticks can do more than simply take blood meals and leave gnarly bite wounds on your pet; they can also transmit harmful, even deadly, diseases. Some species of ticks can transmit bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause illness in humans and animals.

We classify these illnesses as tick-borne diseases, including Borrelia, Babesia, Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Mycoplasma, and Hepatozoon. There are several different types of tick species, and each one carries a different pathogen. Thus, the distribution of the tick-borne disease is correlated with the species of tick that is endemic to a geographic region.

Most common tick-borne diseases in Texas

  • Ehrlichiosis, which can be transmitted by the American Dog Tick, Brown Dog Tick and Lone Star Tick
  • Babesiosis, which is transmitted by the Brown Dog Tick
  • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which is transmitted by the American dog tick and the Brown Dog Tick
  • Lyme disease, which is transmitted by the Black-legged tick

All dogs are susceptible to tick-borne diseases. Major risk factors include lack of parasite prevention, direct exposure to the tick, i.e., hunting dogs or outdoor dogs, seasonal exposure when ticks are more prevalent, or those with weakened immune systems.

Clinical Symptoms of Tick Diseases in Dogs

Each disease affects our dog’s bodies differently, and no typical clinical sign is associated with a single pathogen. Here are some of the most common clinical signs that may be seen:

  • Ehrlichiosis – fever, spontaneous bleeding, weight loss, lameness, swollen lymph nodes
  • Babesiosis – anemia secondary to destruction of red blood cells, pale mucous membranes, low platelets, nasal bleeding, weakness, ataxia
  • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever – joint pain, decrease in appetite, swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea or vomiting
  • Lyme disease – generalized pain, decreased appetite, fever, shifting leg lameness

Diagnosing Dog Tick Diseases

Diagnosis begins at the beginning of the appointment – it is important for us to know if your pet has any recent travel history, such as going out hiking, camping, and hunting, or any known tick bites in the last 6 months. We must know if your pet has been kept on year-round flea and tick prevention. If your pet presents with any of the clinical signs mentioned above or we notice a tick or two on your pet, our suspicion for a possible tick-borne disease increases.

To rule out tick-borne diseases, in-hospital tests can be used to screen for antibodies to these pathogens, plus additional tests to confirm further disease would be complete blood cell counts, chemistries, and PCRs.

Treatments for Tick Disease in Dogs

If your pet is confirmed to have a tick-borne disease, treatment depends on what disease your pet is affected by. Many diseases are treated with a specific antibiotic called doxycycline. Pain medications would be reached for in the instances of pain or lameness. In severe instances, other treatments, possibly even blood transfusions, may have to be implemented.  If clinical signs are mild and noted quickly, your pet can begin to feel better shortly after starting treatment.

The best way to prevent transmission of tick-borne diseases is to keep your pet on year-round tick and flea prevention.  If you are to walk her through the woods or grassy areas, do a thorough evaluation of your pet’s fur/skin and remove any ticks that may be seen. Have any questions or concerns? Contact us today!