You probably know that tick prevention is important in avoiding Lyme Disease. However, it’s also important as they can spread ehrlichiosis. This infectious disease can be life-threatening if left untreated. Thankfully, there are measures to take to avoid ehrlichiosis. Here’s what you need to know about ehrlichiosis in dogs:

What is Ehrlichiosis in Dogs?

Ehrlichiosis is an infectious disease that can be spread by tick bites. This disease, caused by bacteria called Ehrlichia canis, is spread when an infected tick bites a dog. In North America, the tick that most commonly spreads ehrlichiosis is the brown dog tick. In the eastern, southeastern, and south-central parts of the United States, the Lone Star tick spreads bacteria known as Ehrlichia ewingii. This bacteria is what causes ehrlichiosis in dogs.

Ehrlichiosis Is a fairly widespread problem in the United States. Dogs can be infected with at least five different types of ehrlichiosis species spread by three different kinds of ticks. These ticks can infect a dog within as few as two or three hours. This is why it’s very important to check your dog for ticks after you or your dog has been outside.

Symptoms of Ehrlichiosis in Dogs

Ehrlichiosis is categorized by three different phases. These phases are known as acute (early disease), subclinical (no visible signs of the disease), and chronic (long-term infection).

Acute Ehrlichiosis Symptoms

Acute ehrlichiosis typically lasts for a few weeks or a month. Visible symptoms of acute ehrlichiosis usually show up about one to three weeks after an infected tick bite. These signs and symptoms are usually fairly vague which makes diagnosing ehrlichiosis sometimes a difficult task.

Dogs that have been infected will show signs and symptoms that include fever, lack of appetite and other digestive issues, swollen lymph nodes, respiratory issues, and even some neurological problems. Neurological symptoms may present as a dog being unsteady on their feet or they can even develop meningitis.

These are symptoms you should never ignore in your dog and you should schedule a veterinarian appointment as soon as you can. If a dog is treated during the acute phase, they should return to normal fairly quickly. Without treatment, the dog can move into the subclinical phase.

Subclinical Ehrlichiosis Symptoms

Oftentimes, the subclinical phase is considered to be the worst since there are no visible signs and symptoms. This means the dog has been infected but the infection is not causing any visible signs to alert the owner that anything is wrong.

However, if a dog has blood work done, they may show elevated levels of a blood protein called globulin as well as a lower platelet count. This can alert the vet that something is wrong and further investigation is needed.

Chronic Ehrlichiosis Symptoms

Chronic ehrlichiosis will develop if the dog is not treated properly or their immune system has not eliminated the bacteria on its own. Symptoms of chronic ehrlichiosis can be quite vague with appetite loss, fever, and lethargy. However, as the bacteria continues to infect the blood and bone marrow, it can include lameness, abdominal bleeding, and anemia.

A dog may also develop neurological problems such as balance issues, and eye issues. Eye problems include uveitis which is inflammation of the eye, as well as blindness or bleeding in the eye.

Can Ehrlichiosis Cause Seizures in Dogs?

Ehrlichiosis may also cause seizures if the bacteria has reached the brain. As the disease progresses, a dog will show more serious signs and symptoms, with seizures being one of them. Depending on how much the brain is affected, a dog could also develop canine epilepsy.

Can Ehrlichiosis in Dogs Be Cured?

Some dogs may eliminate this bacteria on their own but often, they will need treatment. Thankfully, in the acute or subclinical stage, the infection is often easily treated with a round of antibiotics called doxycycline. Antibiotics typically last 28 to 30 days. Dogs that are in the acute and subclinical phase of the infection do not usually require hospitalization.

However, dogs that are in the chronic stage of the infection may require intense rounds of treatments. They also may require hospitalization for treatments like IV fluids, blood transfusions, steroids, as well as specific nutrition. Unfortunately, dogs that have chronic ehrlichiosis have a higher chance of fatality.

How to Test For Ehrlichiosis in Dogs

If you live in an area that has a high tick population, your veterinarian will most likely keep that in mind when diagnosing your dog. Many vets do screen for this bacteria annually. If your dog has presented any of the signs and symptoms of ehrlichiosis, your vet will work to eliminate other possibilities and then perform a blood test to look for the bacteria.

If you don’t live in a high tick population and your dog exhibits some of the signs and symptoms, your veterinarian will try to eliminate any other possible illnesses. They will assess your travel history to find out if you have been anywhere in a high tick population. Your veterinarian may run a blood test to establish a baseline to help with diagnosing ehrlichiosis.

Once a baseline has been established and ehrlichiosis is suspected, your veterinarian most likely will perform one or both tests called ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) or a DNA/PCR (polymerase chain reaction). This will determine the specific type of Ehrlichia that has infected your dog. Laboratories are often used to make this diagnosis.

How to Prevent Ehrlichiosis in Dogs

Dogs with ehrlichiosis can become reinfected later as immunity is not lifelong. This is why it’s important to prepare your dog for tick season and stay on top of tick prevention for your dog. There are a few different methods available including topical and oral medication.

If you have any questions, be sure to talk to your veterinarian. They can walk you through all available options and offer their recommendations. Along with medical prevention, it’s best to keep your dog away from wooded areas where ticks are most commonly found. If that’s unavoidable, it’s important to check your dog for ticks as soon as possible.

Make sure you’re looking in all the different places to look for ticks on your dog, especially hidden places like under the ears, in the armpits, and underneath the tail. Removing ticks as early as possible is one of the best ways to prevent ehrlichiosis in dogs and can also help prevent other tick-borne illnesses, like Lyme Disease.

This is an overview of what you need to know about ehrlichiosis in dogs. Just remember one of the easiest ways to keep your dog safe and healthy is to be vigilant about tick prevention and removal. If you suspect your dog might have ehrlichiosis, call your vet so they can determine the right course of action.