Many pathogens are responsible for canine tick-borne diseases, including Babesia canis, Babesia gibsoni, Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis and many others. They are transmitted by ticks of the genus Dermacentor, Ixodes and Rhipicephalus carrying the pathogen which, by biting the dog, will transmit it through their saliva.
The clinical signs that dogs can show after contracting a tick-borne disease can be many and varied. These can include hyperthermia of the animal, depression, loss of appetite, dark urine, pale or yellow mucous membranes and sometimes vomiting.
EHRLICHIOSIS
In the acute phase of Ehrlichiosis (also called Anaplasmosis) caused by Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma phagocytophilum or Ehrlichia canis, the clinical signs may go unnoticed. If left unchecked, the pathogens continue to multiply in the dog’s blood. Some dogs have a high tolerance to bacterial load while other breeds like the German Shepherd can develop a chronic form of the disease. Periods of stress or compromised immunity may result in presentation of clinical symptoms when the bite and transmission of the disease in fact, occurred some time ago.
In 50% of cases, during an infection with Canine Ehrlichiosis, a co-infection takes place with other pathogens transmitted by the same vector. The chronic form of Ehrlichiosis can present with more severe symptoms such as weight loss, joint pain and bleeding tendencies that may resemble autoimmune disease. At this stage, the bone marrow is damaged, and this is irreversible. Blood cells are no longer produced in sufficient quantity and the prognosis is poor.
During the acute phase of infection, tick-borne diseases can be diagnosed with different methods:
Serological method (perform tests at 2-week intervals to verify seroconversion)
► Biological or biochemical method
► By NFS: aneamia and thrombocytopenia
► By biochemistry: hyperglobulinemia
Biological or biochemical method
► By blood formulation count : anemia & thrombopenia
► By biochemical : hyperglobulinemia
Method for researching the pathogen or its genome
► By blood smear (low sensitivity)
► By PCR (to be done before antibiotic treatment)
For optimal efficiency, it is advisable to use several of these methods since, not detecting the same elements, they are complementary.
Asteria tests are molecular biology tests. They directly detect the DNA of the pathogen and can therefore be used from the start of the infection even before the symptoms are detectable.
Their sensitivity is very close to that of PCR but the results are obtained in 30 minutes.
There is no vaccine against canine babesiosis or ehrlichiosis in the UK.
Here are some tips to advise your customers to help prevent their dog from infection:
► Use an antiparasitic treatment (collar, pipettes, spray, tablets)
► As soon as they see a tick on their dog, remove it with a tick remover and observe the bite and the general condition of their animal over several days.
► A void walks in tall grass or in the forest.
