Ehrlichiosis is a type of tick-borne disease that can have serious consequences for your dog's health. Caused by a bacterium, canine ehrlichiosis has the tick as its vector. Although relatively common, especially at certain times of the year, many guardians still have questions about canine ehrlichiosis: are the symptoms very serious? Is there treatment? How can we prevent the dog from getting it?contracted the disease? Paws of the House has separated 10 pieces of information about canine ehrlichiosis that every well-prepared pet parent needs to know. check out!

1) Ehrlichiosis is one of the types of tick-borne disease

Tick-borne disease is the name given to diseases that have the tick as a vector and are transmitted to dogs. The most common types of tick-borne disease in dogs are ehrlichiosis and babesiosis. Although they have the same vector, they manifest in different ways. The main difference is that ehrlichiosis is caused by a bacterium, while babesiosis is caused by a protozoan.

2) Canine ehrlichiosis is transmitted by the bite of the brown tick

The transmission of ehrlichiosis occurs through the bite of a brown dog tick contaminated with the bacterium Ehrlichia canis When a tick bites a healthy dog, the bacteria enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body, lodging in different cells of the body and affecting various organs and systems.

3) The body's defense cells are the most affected by ehrlichiosis.

Upon entering the bloodstream, the bacteria that cause ehrlichiosis usually parasitize white blood cells, which are the cells responsible for defending the body. This is why the health of a dog with ehrlichiosis is so weakened. As its first destination is the bloodstream, the bacteria also reaches the red blood cells, causing a destruction of platelets (responsible forclotting the blood).

4) In summer, the chances of contracting ehrlichiosis increase

Although it exists at any time of the year, canine ehrlichiosis is a dog disease with a higher incidence in the summer. This is because during the season there is a greater volume of rainfall and, consequently, greater humidity in the air. The humid climate is favorable for the reproduction of tick eggs and other parasites, such as fleas. Thus, during the hot months, the chance of dogs getting into the air is higher.contact with an infected tick increases, so extra attention should be paid to canine ehrlichiosis during this time of year.

5) Canine ehrlichiosis is divided into three stages

In canine ehrlichiosis, symptoms can be quite varied. But before knowing what they are, it is necessary to understand that the disease is divided into three phases, each with different clinical manifestations.

1) The first stage of canine ehrlichiosis is acute. When the pet is bitten, there is an incubation period that lasts from 7 to 21 days. In this phase the symptoms are very nonspecific and mild. They can be more or less severe depending on how each organism reacts.

2) Then comes the subclinical phase of canine ehrlichiosis. Here, the symptoms practically cease to appear, but the disease continues to develop in the dog's body.

3) Finally, the chronic phase of canine ehrlichiosis. The symptoms of the acute phase return, and may be more or less severe than before. This phase is worrying because, in addition to the traditional symptoms, other secondary infections begin to appear.

6) Canine ehrlichiosis: symptoms can be quite non-specific

Ehrlichiosis is a serious disease mainly because its signs are common to many diseases. This makes diagnosis difficult and may end up leading to a delay in treatment. In canine ehrlichiosis, common symptoms are fever, lethargy, red spots on the body, vomiting, diarrhea, enlarged lymph nodes, bone marrow hypoplasia, canine anemia, weakness, nosebleeds, loss of appetite, etc.As the disease progresses, other signs may be seen, but these vary according to which part of the body is being most affected. The most common are kidney problems, canine uveitis, joint problems and other secondary infections.

7) Ehrlichiosis can also affect humans

Ehrlichiosis is a disease that does not only affect dogs: humans can also suffer from it. Therefore, it is considered a zoonosis. However, a person does not contract the disease by coming into contact with an infected dog. Ehrlichiosis is only transmitted through the tick bite. That is why eliminating this parasite from the environment is so important for dogs and for humans as well.

8) Canine ehrlichiosis is curable, especially if the diagnosis is made quickly.

Fortunately, this type of tick disease can be cured! If you notice any unusual signs, you should take your pet to the doctor quickly. Once there, the owner should tell the specialist everything: if the pet has been to a place where it may have ticks, what symptoms it is experiencing and what changes it is showing in behavior. With this information, the doctor will refer the dog to theof tests and gets the diagnosis.

9) Dog with canine ehrlichiosis: treatment is done with antibiotics and supportive therapy

Once canine ehrlichiosis has been diagnosed, treatment must be started quickly. The guardian must strictly follow all the instructions recommended by the doctor. To cure canine ehrlichiosis, treatment consists of the use of antibiotics for dogs. As the disease can present different manifestations in each case, the veterinarian will indicate supportive therapies to combat the symptoms. EhrlichiosisCanine ehrlichiosis can be cured, but it is necessary to be disciplined in the treatment. Canine ehrlichiosis can return, so it is important to keep a regular veterinary follow-up.

10) Canine ehrlichiosis can be prevented by eliminating parasites from the environment.

As canine ehrlichiosis is transmitted by the bite of the brown tick, the best way to prevent the disease is to fight the vector. The use of a tick remedy is an effective way to avoid contamination if used correctly. Always keep the environment clean and perform tick control with the use of insecticides. Also, avoid places where the pet can be found.Always keep an eye on your pet's coat, especially after walks. By following these precautions, you can avoid ticks in dogs and, consequently, canine ehrlichiosis.