Get Advice from a Vet

ASK A VET
Veterinarian, DVM, MBA
Get free advice on diet, health, fitness, and wellness questions within 3 business days via email.

Ehrlichia in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatment

Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Back to results
Enter Your Information All fields are required

While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.

*Please note: Questions submitted and the answers will appear on our website as a benefit to all pet owners. Please make sure not to include any personal information in the box where you enter your question.

Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Thank you! Your question has been submitted.

You will receive an answer from Dr. Lindsay and our vet/tech team as soon as possible, usually the same day.

All answers are provided for informational or educational purposes only, and are intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your pet's veterinarian.

It may be necessary to consult your pet's veterinarian regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your pet's symptoms or medical condition.

Close
Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Oops! Your question has not been submitted.

An error has occurred, please reload the page and try again.

Close
Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Got questions? Ask Dr. Lindsay & our Vet Team:

While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.

Do these answer your question?
Showing of | See All
Have another question, or can’t find your answer?
Submit your question
We're Sorry!

There is no answer related to your question

Can’t find your answer?
Submit your question
Category

What is Ehrlichia?
While most people are most concerned about the tick transmitted Lyme disease, there is another disease transmitted by certain species of ticks known as Ehrlichia. Signs of Ehrlichia in dogs can occur 1-3 weeks after the bite of an infected tick, and in the acute phase of the disease, symptoms may last up to a few weeks. The organism likes to live inside blood cells and can destroy the platelets involved with blood clotting. Organisms can also be found inside lymph nodes, the bone marrow, liver and spleen.

Symptoms of Ehrlichia in dogs
During the acute phase can vary from joint pain and stiffness, fever, lethargy, bruising and anemia. Many dogs can overcome the infection on their own, but others may enter a subclinical or chronic phase of infection, which can be much more difficult to clear and/or treat. In some cases, chronic neurological symptoms can occur as well as inflammation of the eyes. Some dogs can have repeated bouts of illness, especially during periods of stress.
Diagnosis of Ehrlichia is typically based on blood tests often run at the veterinary office, in conjunction with clinical signs being present of illness. It is important to recognize that many dogs with Ehrlichia can test positive but have no clinical signs, and in those cases treatment is not always needed.

Canine Ehrlichia treatment
Treatment for dogs with Ehrlichia is typically instituted with a 3 to 4 week course of either Tetracycline or Doxycycline-dnu, and most animals improve within several days of instituting therapy.

 

The best advice that can be given to prevent this disease is to practice tick prevention including the use of products such as NexGard, K9 Advantix II, and Frontline Plus. Collars specifically formulated to protect against ticks, such as Seresto may also be used. Although humans can also occasionally come down with Ehrlichiosis, it is only through tick bites, and not from dogs.

 
We'll contact your Vet to verify.
4.7 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
Prescription Item
Save 40% with first AutoShip. Use code NEW40
$44.93
$47.30
$67.57 Reg Price
Shop now
We'll contact your Vet to verify.
5 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
Prescription Item
Save 40% with first AutoShip. Use code NEW40
$27.92
$29.39
$41.99 Reg Price
Shop now
We'll contact your Vet to verify.
3.7 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
Prescription Item
$71.99
$102.84 Reg Price
Shop now
We'll contact your Vet to verify.
5 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
Save 40% with first AutoShip. Use code NEW40
$56.98
$59.98
$85.69 Reg Price
Shop now
We'll contact your Vet to verify.
4.9 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
Save 40% with first AutoShip. Use code NEW40
$32.76
$34.48
$49.26 Reg Price
Shop now
We'll contact your Vet to verify.
3.7 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
Save 40% with first AutoShip. Use code NEW40
$38.94
$40.99
$58.56 Reg Price
Shop now