Companion Animals

Dog Ehrlichiosis: Tick-Borne Rickettsial Disease

Ehrlichiosis is a serious tick-borne bacterial infection in dogs that can cause life-threatening blood cell destruction and organ damage.

Key Facts

Caused by Ehrlichia canis transmitted primarily by the brown dog tick
Three phases: acute, subclinical, and chronic - the last being most dangerous
Signs include fever, weight loss, bleeding disorders, and neurological signs
Diagnosis by PCR or antibody testing is required for confirmation
Doxycycline is highly effective when started early in infection

Welfare Considerations

Dogs with chronic ehrlichiosis experience severe debilitation including profound anemia, bleeding tendencies, and immune suppression. Many dogs in subtropical and tropical regions are chronically infected with little veterinary access. Early treatment is curative while chronic disease may cause permanent damage.

What You Can Do

Use effective tick prevention year-round in endemic areas
Remove ticks promptly using proper technique
Seek testing and treatment promptly if your dog shows unexplained illness after tick exposure
Support veterinary access programs in countries with high ehrlichiosis burden
Advocate for tick control programs in areas with high tick-borne disease rates