05/01/2019
ERLICHIOSIS
Erlichiosis is a tickborne disease caused by the bacterial organism Erlichia canis (E. canis). While many species of Erlichia exist, the one most commonly thought to affect dogs is E. Canis which infects the monocytes (white blood cells) in the blood of the host. E. Canis is carried by the brown dog tick and is seen throughout the United States with a higher incidence in the Southwest and Gulf Coast regions.
Symptoms of acute erlichiosis, which begin 1-3 weeks after infection and last for about 2-4 weeks, include fever, petechia (spots on the skin caused by broken capillary vessels), edema and discharge from the eyes and nose. After the acute phase of infection, the disease progresses to the subclinical phase which has no symptoms and can last for the remainder of a dog's life. The third phase of infection (the chronic phase) can be the most serious and potentially fatal as it includes very low blood cell counts, bleeding, lameness, neurological disorders and kidney disease. Symptoms of chronic infection include weight loss, pale gums, bleeding, opthalmic problems and an increase in thirst and urination.
The best way to prevent erlichiosis is to use a monthly flea/tick preventative and to remove ticks as promptly as possible from your pet. As dogs are rescued from different parts of the country and adopted in New England we will continue to see an increase in the prevalence of E. canis and other tick borne diseases carried by ticks of warmer climates. Screening your pet each year with the 4DX test is our best chance at catching these 4 diseases early.