Common Bone Tick Disease

Common bone tick disease affecting canines 5 Thousands of dogs are infected annually with dangerous tick-transmitted diseases. Ticks are parasites that attach themselves to dogs, feed on blood and transmit diseases directly into the dog's system. There are several tick borne diseases, major ones consist of: Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Canine Ehrlichiosis. The key to curing tick-borne disease is early diagnosis and treatment. Several broad-spectrum antibiotics to treat tick-borne disease are generally effective, especially in the early stages of the disease. Since antibiotics don't differentiate "Good" from "Bad" bacteria,

Check your dog for ticks daily during tick season: spring, summer and fall, or year-round in warmer climates. Brush your fingers through his fur, applying enough pressure to feel any small bumps. If you feel a bump, pull the fur apart to identify it. An embedded tick will vary in size, from a pinhead to a grape. Depending on the size and location of the tick, its legs may also be visible. Ticks need to be embedded for 24 to 48 hours to spread infections. If you find a tick, you should bring your dog to a veterinary clinic where a veterinarian or technician can remove the tick safely. It would be safer to bring the dog to the veterinarian because a piece might break off and remain in your dog's skin if removal is done improperly. Ticks should be removed promptly to avoid infection. Tick

Caused by the brown dog tick, symptoms may not surface for months after transmission, and can include fever, loss of appetite, depression, weight loss, runny eyes and nose, nose bleeds and swollen limbs. Ehrlichia are transmitted by ticks including the Brown Dog Tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and the Lone Star Tick Amblyomma americanum. The immature form of the tick feeds on an animal infected with Ehrlichia. When these immature ticks or a mature form of the tick feeds on another animal, the Ehrlichia is passed on to that animal. Signs of the acute phase of the disease usually develop 1-3 weeks after the bite of the infected tick. The acute phase of the disease generally lasts 2-4 weeks. The Ehrlichia enter white blood cells and reproduce inside of them. In addition to the blood, these cells are found in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and bone marrow. Platelets, the small cell fragments that help blood to clot, are often destroyed, as well. As a result of the infection, the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen are often enlarged. During this phase the Ehrlichia live inside the spleen. Ultimately, the dog either eliminates the Ehrlichia from the body or the infection may progress to the chronic phase. Weight loss, anemia, neurological signs, bleeding, inflammation of the eye, edema in the hind legs, and fever may be seen. Blood tests show that