Sled Dog Society of Wales
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    • Canine First Aid Kit Contents
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    • Emergency First Aid A - E >
      • Abscesses
      • Adder Snake Bite
      • Bee Stings & Insect Bites
      • Bleeding (external)
      • Bleeding (internal)
      • Bloat
      • Chemical Burns
      • Choking
      • CPR - Cardio Pulmonary Resusitation
      • Dehydration
      • Dental Emergencies
      • Difficult Births
      • Drowning
      • Eye Injuries
    • Emergency First Aid E - O >
      • Electrocution
      • Fainting - "Syncope"
      • False Widow Spider Bite
      • Fever
      • Fox Bites
      • Fractures
      • Heatstroke
      • Hot Spots - Canine Acute Moist Dermatitis
      • Hypothermia
      • Nose Bleed
    • Emergency First Aid P - Z >
      • Paralysis
      • Poisoning and Exposure to Toxins
      • Penetrating Injuries
      • Rat Bites
      • Seizures
      • Shock
      • Straining & Constipation
      • Transporting Injurerd Dogs
    • Health & Wellbeing >
      • Health Conditions A - E >
        • Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Dogs
        • Alaskan Husky Encephalopathy (Sub acute Necrotizing Encephalomyelopathy)
        • B12 Deficiency or Cobalamin Malabsorption
        • Breathing Difficulties
        • Canine Athletes Heart Syndrome
        • Congenital Heart Disease in Dogs
        • Epilepsy
      • Health Conditions F -M >
        • Hip dysplasia
        • Hypoglycemia
        • Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism
        • Joint Luxation
        • Ligament and Tendon Tears
        • Metabolic Myopathy
      • Health Conditions N - Z >
        • Paw Pad Problems
        • Portal Systemic Shunts
        • Pyometra & Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia
        • Snow Nose
        • Stomach Ulcers
        • Tendonitis
        • Urinary Tract Health
      • Infectious diseases >
        • Alabama Rot
        • Cryptococcosis
        • Distemper
        • Erlichiosis
        • Hepatitis
        • Histoplasmosis
        • Parvovirus
        • Rabies
      • Welbeing A - G >
        • Anal Glands/Sacks
        • Burns
        • Coconut Oil
        • Dry Dog Food
        • Grooming and maintenance
      • Wellbeing H - Z >
        • Heat Stroke
        • How To Trim Your Dogs Claws
        • Raw Feeding
        • Toxic Food - Fruits, vegtables & Fish
        • Turmeric Powder
        • Vitaimin E
        • Zinc Deficency
      • Dental Care
      • Nutrition
      • Vaccinations, Worming, Microchipping >
        • Kennel Cough
        • Microchipping
        • Vaccinaions
        • Worming, Flea & Tick Prevention & Parasites
      • Spaying & Neutering
      • Veterinary Clinical Examination
  • Controlling Your Dog In Public
    • Banned Breeds
    • Dangerous Dog Act 2017
    • Dog fouling
    • Public Spaces Protection Orders
  • Donation & Fundraising
  • Easy Fundraising
  • Evolution Of Dogs
    • Breeds >
      • Spitz Breeds >
        • Alaskan Husky
        • Aalaskan Klee Kai
        • Alaskan Malamute
        • Chow Chow
        • Crossd Breed - Huskamute
        • Greenland Dogs
        • Japanese Akita Inu & American Akita
        • Samoyed
        • Siberian Husky
        • Tamaskan
      • Wolf Hybrids >
        • Czechoslovakian wolf dog
        • Saarlooswolfhond
        • Timberwolfdog
  • Equipment
    • Collars
    • Cooling Coats & Mats
    • Scooters, Dry Land Rig and Sleds
    • Walking Belt
    • Dog Weather Shelter
    • Head Collar
    • Leads
    • Harnesses
    • Stake out lines
  • Puppy and dog walking tips
  • Training
    • Canicross
    • Crate Training
    • Obedience training >
      • Bite Inhibition
      • Leave it Training
      • Recall Training
      • Sit Training
      • Sit & Stay Training
      • Walking to Heel Training
    • Temperature Guide to Safely Work Your Dog
    • Toilet Training
    • Vocal Commands
    • Weight Pull Training
    • Working In Racing Harness Sled/Dry Land Rig or Scooter
Picture
Ehrlichiosis
 
Ehrlichia is a type of bacteria that infect dogs and other species worldwide, causing a disease called Ehrlichiosis, which has also been called "tropical canine pancytopenia" (and several other names).  Ehrlichia is commonly transmitted by ticks.
 
Cause
Ehrlichia bacteria infect white blood cells.  There are many species of Ehrlichia, which infect a wide variety of animals, but there are only a few species that affect dogs.
 
A closely related infection affecting platelets is caused by a bacteria called Anaplasma platys and is sometimes referred to as Ehrlichiosis as well (Anaplasmaplatys used to be called Ehrlichia platys until recently).  Most Ehrlichia infections are acquired through tick bites. Infection is also possible via blood transfusions.
 
Risk Factors
Ehrlichiosis occurs worldwide in areas where the ticks that carry the disease are common. While any dog can be infected, some breeds, most notably German shepherds, are prone to more serious chronic infections.  Retired racing greyhounds from areas where Ehrlichiosis is common may suffer from chronic, undetected infections and should be checked for Ehrlichiosis and other tick-borne diseases when adopted.
 
Signs and Symptoms of Ehrlichiosis
The symptoms and severity of illness seen with Ehrlichiosis depend on the species of Ehrlichia involved and the immune response of the dog.  Generally, Erlichia canis appears to produce the most severe illness, and infections tend to progress through various stages.
 
The acute phase occurs within the first few weeks of being infected and is rarely fatal. Recovery can occur, or the dog can enter a "subclinical phase," which can last for years, where there are no symptoms.
 
Some dogs eventually progress to the chronic phase, where very severe illness can develop. However, in practice, it is difficult to distinguish these phases.
Signs and symptoms of ehrlichiosis may include:
 
  • Fever.
  • Lethargy.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Weight loss.
  • Abnormal bleeding (e.g., nosebleeds, bleeding under the skin -- looks like little spots or patches of bruising).
  • Enlarged lymph nodes.
  • Enlarged spleen.
  • Pain and stiffness (due to arthritis and muscle pain).
  • Coughing.
  • Discharge from the eyes and/or nose.
  • Vomiting and diarrhea.
  • Inflammation of the eye.
  • Neurological symptoms (e.g., incoordination, depression, paralysis, etc.).
 
Signs of other organ involvement can appear in the chronic form, especially kidney disease.
 
Note: Anaplasma platys causes recurrent low platelet counts but tends to produce only mild symptoms, if any.
 
Diagnosis of Ehrlichiosis
It can be difficult to confirm a diagnosis of Ehrlichiosis.  Blood tests typically show a decreased number of platelets ("thrombocytopenia") and sometimes decreased numbers of red blood cells (anemia) and/or white blood cells.  Changes in the protein levels in the blood may also occur.  Blood smears can be examined for the presence of the Ehrlichia organisms.  If they are present, the diagnosis can be confirmed, but they may not always show up on a smear.  Blood can also be tested for antibodies to Ehrlichia — though this can sometimes produce incorrect results.  Specialized testing can check for genetic material from Ehrlichia, and while this is the most sensitive test, it is not widely available and has some limitations as well.  Generally, a combination of lab tests along with clinical signs and history are used to make a diagnosis.
 
The diagnosis is further complicated by the fact that dogs infected with Ehrlichia may also be infected with other diseases carried by ticks, such as Babesia, Lyme disease, or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  Infection of bacteria called Bartonella has also been found in conjunction with Ehrlichiosis and other tick-borne diseases.  The presence of these other diseases can make symptoms more severe, and the diagnosis can be more complicated.
 
Treatment of Ehrlichiosis
Ehrlichiosis responds well to treatment with the antibiotic Doxycycline.  Improvement in symptoms is usually very quick, but several weeks of treatment is usually needed to ensure a full recovery.  In severe cases where blood cell counts are very low, blood transfusions may be needed.  Reinfection is possible, as immunity to Ehrlichia bacteria is not long lasting.
 
Prevention of Ehrlichiosis
Preventing exposure to the ticks that carry Ehrlichia is the best means of preventing ehrlichiosis.  Check your dog daily for ticks and remove them as soon as possible (it is believed that ticks must feed for at least 24-48 hours to spread Ehrlichia).  This is however, especially important in peak tick season, or if your dog spends time in the woods or tall grass (consider avoiding these areas in tick season).
 
Products that prevent ticks, such as monthly parasite preventatives can be used; be sure to follow your veterinarian's advice when using these products.  Keep grass and brush trimmed in your yard, and in areas where ticks are a serious problem, you may also consider treating the yard and kennel area for ticks.
 
 

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  • Home
  • About
    • Club Ethos
    • Club Code of Ethics
    • Club Dog Working, Showing & Pack Walks
    • Club Membership
    • Club Merchandise >
      • Pyrography
      • Car Decals
      • Clothing >
        • Size & Colour Chart
      • Custom Embroidery Designs
      • Dog Accessories
      • Keyrings
      • Miscellaneous
    • Meet the Pack & Club Event Photos
    • Rainbow Bridge
  • Education & Public Speaking
  • Contact
  • Ain't Nothing But A Hound Day
    • Gleblands Park - Newport
    • Victoria Park - Cardiff
    • Romilly Park - Barry
    • Roath Recreation Ground - Cardiff
  • Dog Show Sponsors 2019
  • Canine First Aid & Health & Wellbeing
    • Canine First Aid Kit Contents
    • Bandaging & Wound Cleaning
    • Emergency First Aid A - E >
      • Abscesses
      • Adder Snake Bite
      • Bee Stings & Insect Bites
      • Bleeding (external)
      • Bleeding (internal)
      • Bloat
      • Chemical Burns
      • Choking
      • CPR - Cardio Pulmonary Resusitation
      • Dehydration
      • Dental Emergencies
      • Difficult Births
      • Drowning
      • Eye Injuries
    • Emergency First Aid E - O >
      • Electrocution
      • Fainting - "Syncope"
      • False Widow Spider Bite
      • Fever
      • Fox Bites
      • Fractures
      • Heatstroke
      • Hot Spots - Canine Acute Moist Dermatitis
      • Hypothermia
      • Nose Bleed
    • Emergency First Aid P - Z >
      • Paralysis
      • Poisoning and Exposure to Toxins
      • Penetrating Injuries
      • Rat Bites
      • Seizures
      • Shock
      • Straining & Constipation
      • Transporting Injurerd Dogs
    • Health & Wellbeing >
      • Health Conditions A - E >
        • Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Dogs
        • Alaskan Husky Encephalopathy (Sub acute Necrotizing Encephalomyelopathy)
        • B12 Deficiency or Cobalamin Malabsorption
        • Breathing Difficulties
        • Canine Athletes Heart Syndrome
        • Congenital Heart Disease in Dogs
        • Epilepsy
      • Health Conditions F -M >
        • Hip dysplasia
        • Hypoglycemia
        • Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism
        • Joint Luxation
        • Ligament and Tendon Tears
        • Metabolic Myopathy
      • Health Conditions N - Z >
        • Paw Pad Problems
        • Portal Systemic Shunts
        • Pyometra & Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia
        • Snow Nose
        • Stomach Ulcers
        • Tendonitis
        • Urinary Tract Health
      • Infectious diseases >
        • Alabama Rot
        • Cryptococcosis
        • Distemper
        • Erlichiosis
        • Hepatitis
        • Histoplasmosis
        • Parvovirus
        • Rabies
      • Welbeing A - G >
        • Anal Glands/Sacks
        • Burns
        • Coconut Oil
        • Dry Dog Food
        • Grooming and maintenance
      • Wellbeing H - Z >
        • Heat Stroke
        • How To Trim Your Dogs Claws
        • Raw Feeding
        • Toxic Food - Fruits, vegtables & Fish
        • Turmeric Powder
        • Vitaimin E
        • Zinc Deficency
      • Dental Care
      • Nutrition
      • Vaccinations, Worming, Microchipping >
        • Kennel Cough
        • Microchipping
        • Vaccinaions
        • Worming, Flea & Tick Prevention & Parasites
      • Spaying & Neutering
      • Veterinary Clinical Examination
  • Controlling Your Dog In Public
    • Banned Breeds
    • Dangerous Dog Act 2017
    • Dog fouling
    • Public Spaces Protection Orders
  • Donation & Fundraising
  • Easy Fundraising
  • Evolution Of Dogs
    • Breeds >
      • Spitz Breeds >
        • Alaskan Husky
        • Aalaskan Klee Kai
        • Alaskan Malamute
        • Chow Chow
        • Crossd Breed - Huskamute
        • Greenland Dogs
        • Japanese Akita Inu & American Akita
        • Samoyed
        • Siberian Husky
        • Tamaskan
      • Wolf Hybrids >
        • Czechoslovakian wolf dog
        • Saarlooswolfhond
        • Timberwolfdog
  • Equipment
    • Collars
    • Cooling Coats & Mats
    • Scooters, Dry Land Rig and Sleds
    • Walking Belt
    • Dog Weather Shelter
    • Head Collar
    • Leads
    • Harnesses
    • Stake out lines
  • Puppy and dog walking tips
  • Training
    • Canicross
    • Crate Training
    • Obedience training >
      • Bite Inhibition
      • Leave it Training
      • Recall Training
      • Sit Training
      • Sit & Stay Training
      • Walking to Heel Training
    • Temperature Guide to Safely Work Your Dog
    • Toilet Training
    • Vocal Commands
    • Weight Pull Training
    • Working In Racing Harness Sled/Dry Land Rig or Scooter