Tick Fever in Dogs: Find Out Ways to Protect and Prevent!

One of the worst fears of most dog parents is the horrible tick fever in dogs. Dogs get tick fever when they get bitten by a tick that is infected. Tick fever is a broad term. This is because it can be a symptom of other underlying tick-borne diseases. Lyme disease, rocky mountain fever, and babesiosis are some of these. In this blog, we will be talking about a few common kinds of tick fever in dogs in India: Canine Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Hepatozoonosis.

Tick Fever Symptoms

The symptoms of tick fever in dogs are vague and also varied in nature, making the diagnosis challenging in some cases. For early treatment, you must be aware of the signs of tick fever in dogs. Here are some of the most common other symptoms to watch out for:

• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy and depression
• Abnormal bleeding (nosebleeds or bleeding under the skin that looks like spots or patches of bruising)
• Anaemia (low red blood cells)
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Enlarged Lymph nodes
• Pain in joints

In more severe cases, dogs may exhibit round, purplish-red spots inside the eyelids and mouth caused by bleeding below the surface.

When a dog gets bitten by a tick with an infection, it takes 10 to 21 days for the dog to develop the symptoms. Early signs of tick fever in dogs include anemia or inappetence. In uncomplicated cases, the dog may suffer from fever, and depression and the gums turn pale in color. In contrast, signs may include acute kidney failure, neurological disorders, swelling of the legs, breathing problems, and vomiting, in complicated cases, which can be fatal too.

How To Diagnose?

If you see your dog exhibiting any of the above symptoms, you must consult a vet.

• When trying to diagnose tick fever, a blood test is vital.
• Physical examination is not sufficient to help in proper diagnosis.
• Usually, a microscopic evaluation of blood helps reach a diagnosis.
• Tests such as ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) or even a PCR test. The PCR test is greatly helpful in diagnosing bebsia species.

Tick fever can be cured if treatment is not delayed. If you see any of these symptoms or signs, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. In the meantime, try reducing fever by cold fomentation.

Prevention

When it comes to tick fever in dogs, it is best to prevent it rather than treat it later. There are many ways to prevent it, some of which are mentioned below:

• Bathe your dog with an anti-tick shampoo. If you see that your dog has ticks, then bathing with an anti-tick shampoo will be helpful.
• Do not let your dog interact with any dogs that have ticks. If you see ticks on your dog, you can consult a vet, apply an anti-tick lotion, and massage it on the fur. The lotions are usually for heavy tick infestations.
• A good home remedy to prevent ticks in dogs is applying neem oil. It is quite beneficial for short-haired dogs.
• To remove the initial tick infestation on your dog, use a tweezer and remove any tick visible to the naked eye. The safer alternative is to bring them to a vet immediately. 
• Spray your dog’s resting space or kennel with an anti-tick spray and keep the surface of your home clean.

Follow these tips and tricks and prevent any possibility of tick fever in dogs. It is a deadly disease and can cause more harm than we perceive. If you are struggling with ticks in your dog, then get in touch with our vets at Zigly, who is just a woof away!