Tick fever is the most common disease that dogs get in Costa Rica. Also known as ehrlichiosis, the spreading of this disease is due to infected ticks with the bacteria E.canis. The type of tick that that usually carries this is Rhipicephalus sanguineus, or brown dog tick.
The most common symptoms of tick fever are depression and anorexia, so if you dog is acting lethargic and does not want to eat, this should be taken seriously as the first signs of tick fever. Weight loss and fever are also symptoms to look for. Another way to tell if a dog has tick fever is by looking at their gums. If they are pale instead of pink this could mean your dog is suffering from tick fever. More advanced symptoms include bleeding from the nose, or blood in urine or feces, vomiting, bad breath, neurological symptoms, or kidney and liver problems.
Diagnoses is done at the vet with a blood analysis. If your dog has a low white blood cell count, this is a strong indication of tick fever, and can be confirmed with a Snap test. Treatment is usually a round of doxycycline, usually for 4 weeks. If this disease is diagnosed and treated early your dog has a much better chance of recovery.
Preventing ticks is the best way to avoid this illness. There are many tick prevention medicines available, but the Nexgard pill seems to be the most effective. Dogs who do not receive preventative medicine are often infested, and have an extremely high chance of contracting tick fever, especially if they live close to cows or other livestock. Make sure to check their ears and between each “finger” of their paws- these are ticks’ favorite spots to hide!
If your dog has had ticks or is showing signs of tick fever, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.