Ehrlichiosis
What is ehrlichiosis?
Ehrlichiosis is spread from host-to-host by infected tick bites. It is particularly prevalent in the Mediterranean basin and the Rhone Valley area of France.
Symptoms
Symptoms include fever, severe depression, weight loss, anaemia, swollen glands and bleeding. Depending on breed and immunity to infection, chronic cases suffer neurological signs, inflamed kidneys, arthritis and ultimately, death.
What causes ehrlichiosis?
Ehrlichiosis is carried from host-to-host by a tick-borne parasite, Babesia spp, which affects certain cells in the blood. This can lead to a variety of immune-related diseases and susceptible dogs can die within a few days of symptoms appearing.
Treatment
Preventative measures are advisable if you’re travelling abroad with your pet. For further information, contact your vet.
Prevention
It is advisable to protect dogs from ticks while abroad and there is a requirement to do so shortly before returning back to the UK with your pet under The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS). If ticks are killed within 48 hours of attachment you will minimise the risk of disease transmission. For further information, contact your vet.
