Tick fever is the everyday name for a group of infections that ticks pass to dogs. The early signs look like an off day: a little tired, not very hungry, sleeping more than usual. In Assam, where ticks thrive in the humidity, those small changes deserve attention.
What causes it
Ticks carry parasites and bacteria into a dog's blood when they feed. The main ones in India are:
- Babesia (babesiosis): parasites that destroy red blood cells and cause anaemia
- Ehrlichia (ehrlichiosis): bacteria that live in white blood cells and lower the platelets that help blood to clot
- Anaplasma (anaplasmosis): bacteria that infect platelets
- Hepatozoon: less common, and caught when a dog swallows an infected tick
In a study at the veterinary college clinic in Khanapara, Guwahati, more than half of the dogs tested for blood parasites were positive, and Babesia gibsoni was by far the most common. Some dogs carried more than one infection at once.
The brown dog tick, which spreads several of these infections, can live and breed indoors, in kennels, bedding and cracks in walls. Dogs that rarely go out are not safe from it.
Early signs
- Sudden tiredness in a normally active dog
- Eating less, or not at all
- Fever: the dog feels hot, or shivers
- Pale or whitish gums
- Swollen glands under the jaw or behind the knees
- Vomiting or loose stools
- Weight loss over a few days
The most useful check is the gums. Lift your dog's lip: the gums should be pink. Pale, white or yellowish gums need a vet that day.
Signs of severe disease
- Nosebleeds, or small red spots and bruises on the skin or gums
- Red, brown or dark urine
- Yellow eyes or gums
- Fast breathing, weakness or collapse
These mean the infection has advanced. Go to a vet immediately.
How vets test for it
A blood test confirms it. A blood smear examined under a microscope can show Babesia and sometimes Ehrlichia; a full blood count shows anaemia and low platelets; and PCR tests detect parasites that a smear can miss.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the organism. Ehrlichia and Anaplasma are treated with an antibiotic, doxycycline, usually for several weeks. Babesia needs specific anti-parasite medicines, and Babesia gibsoni can be hard to clear completely. A severely anaemic dog may need a blood transfusion. Most dogs treated early recover well. Some remain carriers, so finish the full course and keep up tick prevention afterwards.
What not to do
- Do not give paracetamol or other human medicines for the fever. They can poison dogs.
- Do not wait for "just a fever" to pass, especially during the monsoon.
Prevention
- Use a tick preventive your vet recommends: a tablet, spot-on or collar chosen for your dog's weight. Keep it going without gaps; in Assam, that means all year.
- Check your dog after every walk: inside and around the ears, under the collar, between the toes, the armpits, the belly and around the tail.
- Remove ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers, gripping close to the skin and pulling steadily. Do not squeeze the tick's body or burn it.
- Wash bedding often, and clean the corners and cracks where brown dog ticks hide.
The same ticks can bite people, so a tick-free dog protects your family too.
Sources
General information, not a diagnosis. If your pet seems unwell, contact a vet.
