Ehrlichiosis (Tick Fever)
Ehrlichiosis (Tick Fever)
Ehrlichiosis, also called tick fever, is an infectious disease seen across the continental U.S. and occurs with the most frequency in the southern states and desert states. Since systemic signs of this disease are often vague and mild in the early stages, ocular changes may be the first indication to test for Ehrlichiosis.
What's really going on
Ocular manifestations include uveitis, retinal disease, and corneal opacities. The common brown dog tick transmits ehrlichiosis to dogs. The disease is spread by a bite from an infected tick. Symptoms of ehrlichiosis are often diverse, vague and can vary during the three different phases of the disease. The first phase, called the acute phase, occurs eight to twenty days following exposure. After one to two weeks, the pet recovers. The next phase, the subclinical phase, shows no signs and lasts up to four months. If the pet does not mount a sufficient immune response, the chronic phase begins with signs that can be severe and may include depression, weight loss, abdominal tenderness, and bleeding tendencies.
How a specialist helps
Treatment of ehrlichiosis depends on the severity of the disease at the time of detection. In severe cases, immediate supportive care may include blood transfusions and fluid administration. To treat ocular diseases associated with ehrlichiosis, therapy may include corticosteroids. The ehrlichiosis organism is susceptible to many different antibiotics, but the current antibiotic of choice is doxycycline. Tick control is often the best method to prevent reinfection.