Two of the most prevalent tick-borne diseases in dogs are babesiosis and ehrlichiosis, which are a fairly common cause of morbidity and mortality in South Asia.

While babesiosis is caused by either the protozoan parasites Babesia giubsoni or Babesia canis, ehrichiosis is caused by an infection with a ricketitsial organism, Ehrichia canis. Both diseases have a common vector, the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus, which thrives in hot, humid environments. It is not uncommon for a dog to be infected with both organisms at the same time.

But the biggest challenge in fighting tick-borne diseases lies in accurately detecting and evaluating the signs. In most cases, the first signs are very subtle and very often mimic those caused by other diseases.

Canine banesiosis

It is an infectious disease of the blood and progressive (hemolytic) anemia, or destruction of red blood cells, is the main factor in the development of its symptoms. Also known as ‘bile fever’, this ailment in dogs has a lot in common with malaria in man.

The process of transmission of parasites (Babesia canis) takes place 2-3 days after the tick attaches to the dog. Parasites migrate from the tick’s salivary glands to the host’s circulatory system, causing tick bite fever. Then the parasite enters and destroys the red blood cells.

Clinical signs: Most dogs tend to suffer from the acute or subacute forms of fever, which can be recognized when the dog is listless or lethargic, loses its appetite and has a fever. However, when the fever reaches the per-acute state (sudden and severe), it causes death within a few hours, since treatment at that stage is of little use.

As the disease progresses, it can affect the spleen, liver, muscles, and circulatory, lymphatic, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems. It also interferes with the replication of living cells that support the bone marrow, as a result of which the dog’s immune system is severely reduced. Depending on the system that has been most severely affected by the Babesia organism, infected dogs show a variety of symptoms such as destruction of red blood cells, protein in the urine, oxygen deficiency in the tissues, free hemoglobin in the urine, indicative laboratory findings jaundice. , reduced blood platelet count (predisposing the dog to prolonged or spontaneous bleeding episodes), abnormalities in the lymphatic system, kidney failure and liver disease.

Balanced diet and treatment: However, treatment should be given only after a positive diagnosis has been made through a blood test. Dogs with severe anemia should receive oxygen therapy and whole blood transfusions, in addition to therapy with specific antibabesial drugs. Imdocarb dipropionate at 5 mg / kg body weight by intramuscular injection is the drug that works in such cases. Treatment should be repeated after 14 days. Although the drug is generally well tolerated, there are sometimes side effects, including transient vomiting, salivation, muscle tremors, and restlessness. If they occur, these signs can be controlled. However, the prudent use of glucocorticoids in conjunction with vitamin and liver supplements helps a speedy recovery.

And while the treatment is active, it is important to avoid fatty foods, and the balanced diet must be complemented imperatively with a tonic. Follow-up treatment may also be necessary if the dog does not appear to respond to the initial treatment.

Canine ehrlichiosis

Canine ehrlichiosis is also an infectious blood disease in dogs caused by a small rickettsial parasite (Ehrlichia Canis), which is injected into the dog’s bloodstream through tick bites. These parasites not only destroy red blood cells, but also suppress bone marrow functions. In addition, the severe depression of the immune system caused by the disease opens the door to secondary bacterial infections and other complications.

Clinical signs: in the acute phase of infection, ehrlichiosis is very similar to any other viral infection, its main characteristic being a reduction in cellular blood elements. Although the body lives and reproduces in white blood cells (leukocytes), it has a particularly devastating effect on the lymphatic system. And ultimately, it affects the respiratory, circulatory, and central nervous systems, as well as the kidneys, brain, liver, and spleen. When affected, the dog often runs with temperature, may lose its appetite and / or act depressed. Even the eyes can start to look glassy.

Correct diagnosis: However, the greatest failure has been to recognize and evaluate the disease. If the dog shows any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is best to draw blood for a routine complete blood count and platelet count. The blood smear test will also give a clear picture in some cases. Serological tests such as the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody or the IFA test, which looks for the presence of antibodies produced by the dog’s immune system, are also a good diagnostic aid.

Timely Treatment: Veterinarians should even be warned against using steroids in a dog that may have Ehrlichiosis. Although some chronically infected dogs may need steroid treatment, this should always be administered in conjunction with doxycycline and only as a last resort. In cases where the vet considers that the dog may have more than one disease, ehrlichiosis should be prioritized.

Most cases respond well to treatment with antibiotics from the tetracycline family. Doxycycline is the drug of choice as it has fewer potential side effects. Inoculation and injectable antibiotics should not be given to a dog with suspected Ehrlichial infection, as there have been reports of reactions after this. Another drug, Imizol, has also been shown to be very effective in treating ehrlichiosis. Due to the high dosage, it is advisable to give vitamin B and K supplements, as the dog’s ability to synthesize those vitamins in the large intestine is greatly reduced.

However, since there is no available vaccine against Ehrlichiosis, we must rely on the available reduction against Ehrlichiosis, we must rely on the reduction of the dog’s tick population. This can only be done through the regular use of approved tick control measures that may be recommended by your veterinarian.