Protection against parasites is essential, mainly due to the diseases that they can transmit to our pets, and even to ourselves. One of them is called Canine Ehrlichiosis, which is transmitted through the bite of a tick and causes damage to the animal's platelets, leading to dangerous bleeding and clotting.
It is produced by the bite of the tick brown canine, scientifically known as Rhipicephalus sanguineus, or by the transfusion of blood from a sick animal. It is the transmission of a parasite of the rickettsia family, called Ehrlichia, which seriously affects the dog's body.
Symptoms They appear between eight and twenty days after contact with the insect, and can present in different ways. Sometimes an initial or acute phase occurs, which can last between 4 and 6 weeks, and includes symptoms such as anorexia, lightheadedness, eye or nasal discharge, joint and abdominal pain, fever, and skin bleeding. In other cases the disease presents in a milder way but with similar consequences.
If we notice any of these signs in our dog, we must go immediately to a veterinary clinic. To diagnose it, the specialist will carry out a blood test to check if there is a decrease in white blood cells and / or platelets, and a serology, to detect the possible presence of antibodies against Ehrlichiosis.
El type of treatment it depends on the state of the disease. If it is in its early stages, the vet will most likely prescribe antibiotics to kill the infection, usually with a positive result. On the contrary, if your condition is very advanced, a blood transfusion may be necessary in addition to the medications, and the possibility of a cure is much less.
The best way to prevent this problem is protect our dog of parasites through the use of pills, collars, sprays, pipettes, or any other product that the veterinarian advises us.