Some illnesses that your dog can contract arise because a tick has landed on your dog. Ehrlichiosis and babesiosis are two of these diseases. These are both diseases that mainly occur in warm areas. They both damage your dog’s vascular system. Babesiosis is transmitted by a parasite and Ehrlichiosis by a bacteria. Medicines are available for both diseases that can help when acted quickly.
Babesiosis
This disease is transmitted by ticks and is caused by a parasite called Babesia. This parasite is relatively common in southern Europe, in parts of the US and other areas with an always-warm climate. Even unborn puppies can come into contact with this parasite in the womb through the placenta. Blood transfusions can also transmit this disease. In most cases, however, the dog is simply infected by a tick bite itself. Due to the tick bite, the parasite enters the bloodstream and can destroy the red blood cells. It will simultaneously start to multiply in the blood, this will increase the damage even more. When a very large part of the red blood cells is destroyed, this can lead to anemia.
Symptoms
The symptoms are usually most evident when it has been two to three weeks since the dog was infected. If you suspect that your dog has been infected with this parasite, you must take action quickly. It may be that he dies after a few days, but there are also cases where the dog has lived with mild symptoms for years.
- Fever
- Panting, pale gums and an increased heart rate
Diagnosis
Anemia can be diagnosed by a blood test. To discover that the anemia is caused by this parasite, a microscopic examination of the blood cells is needed. With this test, the presence of the parasite in the red blood cells can be determined. When it is suspected that the infection is caused by a Babesia parasite, a special, more expensive type of blood test is also possible. This test will be done when you have been on vacation to a warm country with your dog.
Therapy
There is a specific drug that can treat the dog against this disease. An even better option is to prevent this disease altogether. You do this by treating your dog with a tick remedy before entering an area that is known to prevent this disease.
Ehrlichiosis
This bacterium is mainly found in warm and tropical regions, the Ehrlichia bacterium, like the Babiose parasite, hitchhike on ticks. The Ehrlichia bacteria reproduce in the white blood cells. It causes damage in the white blood cells and causes a decrease in the cells.
Symptoms
Dogs living in areas where the bacteria is common will have a less severe reaction than dogs living there temporarily. Dogs that are temporarily present are very susceptible and can become seriously ill, sometimes they are already dead within a week.
The first symptoms are visible five to twenty days after infection.
- Attenuation
- Fever and a swollen spleen
- Nose bleeds because there are fewer blood cells present
- Eye disorders
Diagnosis
A diagnosis can be made from a blood test and a microscopic blood test. There will usually be increased activity of the liver and a low white blood cell and platelet count will be present. When antibodies against the bacteria are also present in the body, it can be said with a fairly high degree of certainty that the dog is currently suffering from the pathogen.
Therapy
Medicines are available that can help with this disease. These can help when acted quickly. The drug that will be given in most cases is called Doxycyline and must be given at least three weeks apart.
Sometimes it may be that the disease becomes chronic, the dog will always have vague complaints. It is also possible that the disease suddenly returns after a number of years. This can happen, among other things, through the use of certain medicines.