Ehrlichosis & Dogs: What is this Tick-Borne Disease?

What is Ehrlichosis?
Ehrlichosis is a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks. An infection that affects the white blood cells, it can lead to issues with the function of bone marrow and blood cell production. Ehrlichosis is transmitted by the Brown Dog Tick and the Lone Star Tick.

Types of Ehrlichosis & What to Look For
Ehrlichosis canis (transmitted by the brown dog tick)
Signs of Ehrlichosis canis:
– low mood
– low energy
– appetite loss
– discharge from eyes and/or nose
– random nose bleeds
– joint pain
– lameness
– bruising (gums or belly)

Ehrlichosis ewingii (transmitted by the lone star tick)
Signs of Ehrlichosis ewingii:
– appetite loss
– fatigue
– random leg lameness
– not wanting to move

Ehrlichosis chaffeensis (transmitted by the lone star tick)
Signs of Ehrlichosis chaffeensis:
– fever
– chills
– muscle pain
– weakness
– fatigue

If You Find a Tick, How Do You Remove It?
There are different methods for removing an attached tick, although this seems to be the best way in our opinion:

Tweezers: Use a fine tweezer and grasp as close to the skin as possible. Pull back to remove the tick. Do not squeeze or crush the tick while removing so that microbes are not squeezed into your pet.

Do you think your pet has been exposed to Ehrlichosis? For more information, contact PetMedella at 612-812-9121 or email us at info@petmedella.com