Canine Rocky Mountain spotted fever abbreviated as RMSF it’s a severe and potentially fatal tick-borne disease that affects dogs and sometimes humans. This dangerous bacteria is acquired through the bites of particular ticks from the dog. Fortunately, tick fever is a disease that can be prevented, diagnosed, and cured, if it develops. Now let us see more details about this disease!
How Do Dogs Become Infected With Tick Fever?
Tick fever can develop through several possible methods, the most typical of which involves infected tick bites. These kinds of ticks become contaminated by feeding on other contaminated animals and can influence the dogs through the bite. Moreover, dogs can also suffer from it if they take an infected animal, like a mouse or a deer, for instance.
Tick fever in dogs primarily manifests in two forms: Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is more serious than the other types and if left untreated can be fatal. Ehrlichiosis as a rule is less widespread and less severe, however, this disease also can cause serious illness in dogs.
Tick Fever Symptoms
Tick fever can manifest a variety of signs in dogs. The sickness might not show in your dog for up to 14 days after he gets the germs. Tick fever affects dogs and has very mild and unspecific signs therefore in certain instances diagnosing tick fever is like diagnosing a riddle. Canine tick fever symptoms are some of the most common:
- Up to 105°F (40.5°C) of fever
- Reduced appetite
- An increase in lymph nodes
- Joint inflammation
- diarrhea and vomiting
- body or facial edema
- Coughing
- Breathing problems
- Continent pain
It may result in anemia and internal bleeding as well as other complications. In its worst case, tick fever can prove fatal.
1. Fever and lethargy
Initially, mild symptoms include high fever and lethargy that it is fairly easy to spot.
2. Loss of appetite
Dogs may also stop eating and drinking, so they starve and may rapidly lose weight.
3. Pale gums
Tick fever usually causes anemia, which causes the gums to become pale or white.
4. Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds can occur when blood platelets are low, for which there may be no apparent cause.
5. Swollen lymph nodes
Lymph nodes may also become enlarged or feel painful when touched.
6. Joint pain
Symptoms are relatively mild and may include limping or stiffness when the dog walks.
7. Vomiting and diarrhea
Gastrointestinal disorders, nausea vomiting, and diarrhea are also associated.
8. Increased thirst
Pets such as dogs may have symptoms such as increased water drinking rate and frequent urination.
9. Skin lesions
Optical reactions potentially include friction, urge to urinate, itching and rashes, and skin irritation or lesions that do not heal.
10. Respiratory problems
These include; cases of coughing, difficulty breathing and heavy breathing are signs of advanced stages of the disease.
11. Neurological signs
Worst cases may lead to seizures or trouble with balance, especially if the condition is very severe.
12. Fatigue and weakness
The player’s physical strength also shows a decline as the condition progresses.
The Acute Phase
The acute phase of tick fever lasts between two and three weeks. For this reason, it is important that your dog drinks enough water and rests completely. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should take your pet to the veterinarian for further evaluation. During the acute phase, the following medication is recommended: antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Hospitalization may be required in more serious cases.
The Subclinical Phase
There are two phases in the disease, but the initial form is also called the tick fever subclinical phase. In this phase, your dog may actually show no symptoms of the disease at all. But the disease is still in their system and dogs are capable of transmitting the disease to other dogs. This phase can take 2-3 weeks.
During this subclinical stage, the tick that actually transmitted the disease is still embedded into your dog’s skin. Perhaps you are unable to see it because it lies beneath its skin or is hidden between the fur of your dog. This is a good time to check your dog for ticks repeatedly and if there are any, you should remove them.
In the case that you suspect your dog has contracted tick fever, you should take your dog to the veterinary for diagnosis. It can also be diagnosed by a special blood test. In this stage, no treatment is normally required unless you begin to notice other symptoms of sickness in your dog.
The Chronic Phase
In this stage, tick fever, if left untreated or not treated properly, can cause serious complications to the dog’s health. These include chronic anemia, failure of at least one organ, and neurological abnormalities. Recovery during this stage is difficult and requires more attention and a lot of focus, as well as prolonged treatment.
Diagnosing Tick Fever
The diagnosis of tick fever in dogs has the following methods: The first one can be conducted by carrying out a physical examination on the clients. Your vet will look for signs of ticks in your dog’s body. They will also assess for illness indicators; including temperature, general activity level, and eating habits.
The other method of identification of tick fever is through a blood test. It is possible to identify the presence of antibodies that are generated when the body is affected by this virus.
There are antibiotics employed when it comes to tick fever. Your dog may also need to be admitted if he or she is very sick. Tick fever is generally not very infectious; however, the condition can also be life-threatening sometimes. That is why you should take your dog to the vet as soon as you believe that it has this disease.
Complete Blood Count (CBC): The condition that is shown in the blood test is anemia and a low number of platelets.
ELISA Test: More specifically, it identifies certain specific pathogen germs that are transmitted by ticks.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): Diagnoses the causative agents of tick fever which are endothelial cell organisms.
Treating Tick Fever
The best way to recognize tick fever in dogs is through the signs of high fever, in some cases getting up to 106°F. If your dog has symptoms that suggest the presence of a fever you should take him to the vet. Other signs are known to be; decreased activity, loss of appetite, and nausea.
But there is no direct treatment for tick fever; your vet may, however, prescribe some antibiotics to treat the infection and analgesics to relieve the pain. To a great extent, supportive care is the cornerstone of treatment.
If your dog has tick fever it is therefore very important that you ensure they are well hydrated. Give them tiny quantities of water or ice to allow the patient to lick at his convenience. It is highly recommended that they constantly check their temperature and observe unusual and progressive symptoms. If at any point in time you have any doubt about their condition you should consult your veterinarian.
Antibiotics: Doxycycline, among other antibiotics, is a prime treatment course for bacterial infections.
Establishing supportive care: Fluids through IV, nutritional supplements, and anti-inflammatory medications will promote recovery.
Home care: Stress-free areas, adequate hydration, and prescribed meals aid recovery.
Preventive measures: Giving them regular grooming, tick repellents and vaccination (if a vaccine is available) reduces future risk.
What’s the Prognosis for Dogs with Tick Fever?
Most dogs suffering from tick fever recover if the disease is diagnosed in time and treated immediately. However, some complications do arise and most of these dogs recover and do not develop any serious illness in the future. Still, some dogs develop complications arising from tick fever and these include pneumonia or kidney disease. These complications may become severe in themselves, or they might even lead to death. As a result, if you ever think your dog has been infected with tick fever, it is best to take him to the vet immediately.
Although tick fever is common in dogs, there are several precautionary measures you can take to ensure that your pet does not get infected with this disease.
Make sure your dog is vaccinated regularly.
This will help protect them from the disease.
Crimson does not allow you to go with your dog to areas where there are cases of tick fever.
Give your dog tick preventives in the form of collars or topical treatments that can be given by your vet.
It is important to comb your dog frequently to check if your pet has a tick, especially when you find that your dog has been to a place where there are ticks. You should remove a tick from your dog as soon as it is possible.
However, making sure that you use the best dog shampoo is not only the last thing to consider but the most important thing. The shampoos available in Amazon are natural. Get clear skin free from itching and inflammation and use aloe for general skin health instead. If your dog gets rashes on his skin, Dogsy Veda’s Aloe Vera Itch Treatment Shampoo will take care of it by soothing the itching. This Aloe Vera shampoo will help keep your dog’s skin well moisturized, and he will stop itching all the time. It is used externally which it helps to increase blood circulation, thus having properties to cool down the inflammation. You can buy them from the following link on our website.
Can Humans Get Tick Fever from Dogs?
Tick fever cannot be caught directly from dogs. Tick fever is an animate disease exclusive to dogs due to the bacteria known as *Rickettsia rickettsii*. This bacterium lives in the saliva of specific infected ticks and is installed in the dog’s bloodstream when the tick bites and injects bacteria.
Tick fever in the dog will present itself in various ways and it may occasion fever, lameness, lack of appetite, and general body weakness. In worst cases, it can cause conditions such as pneumonia or meningitis. If your dog has any of these symptoms you must contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
It is disappointing that there isn’t a specific cure for tick fever, but the condition responds well to antibiotics. Doctors recommend that if the symptoms are diagnosed early, and the patient starts the right treatment immediately, then there will be a high chance of a complete recovery.
In addition to the veterinary treatment certain things can and should be done at home by the owner. The dog requires plenty of rest and water, you should offer him clean and fresh water, or perhaps you could give him some ice to lick on. Ibuprofen for example can be purchased from a store without a prescription but please consult your vet before giving your dog a dose.
Symptoms of Tick Fever in a Dog: India vs. Worldwide
India: A dry climate favors infestation and growth of ticks and therefore increases the incidences of tick fever. The problem is compounded even further by ignorance and slight, or no, access to veterinary services by these farmers from rural areas.
Worldwide: Many developed nations have better measures of controlling ticks which consequently decreases tick rates across the board. However, tick fever poses a threat to tropical and subtropical areas of the world despite advances in research on the disease.
Tickborne Diseases in Dogs
The disease referred to by the name Lyme Disease is caused by the spirochetal causative agent called Borrelia burgdorferi.
Babesiosis: Results of the destruction of red blood cells.
Anaplasmosis: Affects white blood cells.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Rare but severe.
Ehrlichiosis: I managed to find that it affects the bone marrow and blood cells.
Can Tick Fever Kill the Dog?
Yes, tick fever is often fatal if not treated at the right time. Pulmonary, renal, or hepatic failure, severe anemia, and neurological disturbances all add to the risk of mortality. Hearing loss is referred to as a disease that requires early diagnosis and management to avoid loss of lives.
Tick Fever Symptoms in Dogs: Treatment
Addressing symptoms promptly is vital:
Fever: Regulated by medication that is recommended by a doctor.
Anaemia: By controlling diets through the purchasing of vitamins and minerals and the use of blood products if needed.
Pain: Anti-inflammatories make for the relief of pain.
Dehydration: Treated with IV fluids.
Prevention Tips
Regular Grooming: Look for ticks especially if you have spent time outdoors.
Tick Control Products: Employ the collars, shampoos as well as sprays.
Vaccination: Prevention, where available, may be done through vaccines since some tick-borne diseases are vaccine-preventable.
Clean Environment: See to it that your home is free from ticks for your dog.
Conclusion
Tick fever is a severe disease that occurs in most dogs of all ages. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms then it is advised that you take it to the vet as soon as you can especially if you believe your dog has tick fever. but in the meantime, give them water, and make them lie down and comfortable. Most of the dogs usually respond to treatment if it is done early enough. Stay your pet healthy with natural, tasty, and healthy treats!
