All about the most common info onTick-born diseasesin dogs
Ticks can transmit several serious diseases to dogs through their bites. Some of these illnesses can cause mild signs, while others can lead to severe, even life-threatening conditions.
General symptoms to watch for:
- Fever Loss of appetite Lameness (limping)
- Swollen joints
- Lethargy Bruising or bleeding problems
- Neurological signs (seizures, confusion)
- Pale gums (due to anemia)
- Weight loss
Many of these diseases overlap in symptoms, so diagnosing the exact illness often requires specific blood tests.
Diagnosis:
- Blood tests (PCR, serology)
- Urinalysis (especially for Lyme kidney issues)
- Physical exam and history (tick exposure)
Treatment
- Most bacterial infections (Lyme, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, RMSF) are treated with antibiotics, mainly doxycycline.
- Babesiosis and Hepatozoonosis (protozoal infections) need special anti-parasitic treatments, which can be complex.
- Supportive care (pain relief, fluids, hospitalization) may be needed for severe cases.
Prevention
✅ Tick prevention products (oral meds, collars, spot-on treatments)
✅ Daily tick checks — especially after walks
✅ Vaccination (only available for Lyme disease currently for dogs)
✅ Avoid tick-infested areas during peak seasons (spring to fall)
✅ Prompt tick removal (within 24 hours reduces transmission risk for some diseases like Lyme)
Main Tick-borne Diseases in Dogs
Anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by bacteria in the Anaplasma genus. It primarily affects dogs' white blood cells, leading to symptoms like fever, lethargy, and joint pain. Two species of Anaplasma cause the disease in dogs are Anaplasma phagocytophilum: and Anaplasma platys