Tick fever is a pet owner’s worst nightmare, especially in India, where ticks are most prevalent all through the year due to our hot and humid climate. Tick bites are dangerous, as they can transmit infections that could be fatal if not detected and treated in time. If you notice your dog is lethargic, has a fever, or is behaving unusually, don’t wait for these symptoms to wear off on their own; rush to your vet immediately.
Understanding Tick Fever in Dogs
Ticks, also known as ectoparasites, are found on dogs during the humid summers in India. During this season, they are found in plenty on the tips of grass and shrubs, where dogs go sniffing and latch on. There are mainly two types of ticks – the brown dog tick and the deer tick (black-legged tick), which are very commonly found here. These ticks can be spotted on dogs at various body parts, like near the eyes, behind or in the ears, on the neck, under the tail, in the armpits, and between the paws.
Tick fever is when an infected tick transfers bacteria, parasites, or viruses to dogs, causing a serious infection that can be life-threatening. Once bitten, the pathogens enter the dogs’ bloodstream, causing symptoms like high fever, nosebleeds, vomiting and diarrhoea, blood in the urine, pain in the hind legs, limping, and red spots on the abdomen. This could vary from one dog to another, where one dog could have 1 or 2 symptoms, while another may have many more. Hence, it’s good to identify these symptoms and rush to a vet for a quick exam to avoid further complications and organ failure.
What Causes Tick Fever in Dogs
When infected ticks latch onto the host’s (dog’s) skin and feed on their blood, they inject harmful pathogens in the process. Ticks are carriers of diseases like canine ehrlichiosis, canine babesiosis, and Lyme disease that are injected into the host’s blood, where they multiply, causing the onset of high fever, dullness, and nosebleeds.
It is essential that, as responsible pet owners, you keep your dogs and surroundings clean. Ticks are predominantly known to survive in wooded regions, places with tall grass and humid weather, and that checks all the boxes when it comes to India’s climate and vegetation. Lack of good hygienic practices, unkempt yards, and irregular grooming sessions are the leading causes of tick infestation and tick fever.
Types of Tick Fever Seen in Dogs
There are four main types of tick fever prevalent in India, which cause symptoms ranging from lethargy and fever to bleeding and organ failure. Severe symptoms range from bleeding to kidney issues if not diagnosed and addressed in time. Here’s a table that briefly helps you with the type of tick fever and the symptoms you should look out for.
| Types of tick fever | Type of tick | Symptoms |
| Ehrlichiosis | Brown dog tick | Fever, bleeding issues, and weakness |
| Anaplasmosis | Deer tick | Joint pain and appetite loss |
| Babesiosis | American dog tick | Severe anaemia and dark urine |
| Lyme disease | Black-legged tick | Fever, lameness |
Common Symptoms of Tick Fever
Keep a close watch on your dogs when there is excessive itching, sniffing, or licking. If you notice your dog doesn’t seem as energetic during playtime, check for other early symptoms as mentioned below and rush him to the nearest vet for a checkup.
Early signs:
- Fever and lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Mild swelling in joints
Moderate symptoms:
- Pale gums indicate anaemia
- Bruising or nosebleeds
- Stiff body or reluctance to move or walk
Severe indicators:
- Rapid breathing
- Unable to stand or balance on hind legs
- Bloody urine or vomiting
- Seizures or coma
Monitor closely after tick exposure.
How Tick Fever Is Diagnosed
At BCS Pune Veterinary Hospital, our medical veterinarians conduct a blood test to check if there are any pathogens in the blood after a thorough physical exam, checking for fever, ticks, or swelling in the joints, especially the armpits. A CBC (complete blood count) test is run to confirm if the platelet count is low or the dog is anaemic.
Once antibodies or pathogens are found in the blood test, our vet accordingly starts with the treatment. Based on the dog’s history, visible symptoms, and lab results, our vets can make a proper diagnosis and confirm tick fever.
Treatment Options for Tick Fever
Unlike humans, dogs don’t recover within 4 – 5 days with antibiotics after being diagnosed with tick fever. Since tick fever attacks their immune system, this affects dogs quite severely. Hence, a 28- or 21-day protocol with anti-protozoan or anti-microbial medication needs to be followed. In severe cases, blood transfusion or hospitalisation may be required.
Home Care During Recovery
Whenever your dog is sick, you need to create a safe nook for your dog to rest without any disturbance, as you would do for any other family member. When your dog is recovering from tick fever, ensure the space is clean, airy, warm, quiet, and not too brightly lit; keep their bed sanitised and clear of any pests, dirt, and ticks.
Ensure you follow the vet’s directives for food restrictions. Keep your dog well-hydrated. Also, follow the schedule as mentioned by your vet for follow-ups, check-ups, and tests. Make a note of noticeable changes in behaviour, fever, or the onset of new symptoms. Monitor their body temperature and changes in appetite, if any.
Also, make sure you know how to handle ticks properly-read our guide on How to Safely Remove a Tick from Your Dog: A Step-by-Step Guide to prevent further infections and complications.
Preventing Tick Fever in Dogs
As the famous saying goes, prevention is better than cure. You definitely do not want your favourite furry companion to ever be distressed or unwell. Hence, you must follow a daily hygiene and grooming practice to check and keep ticks at bay. Brushing, massaging, and playing with your dogs daily also helps to detect and control the spread of ticks. especially for long-furred dogs.
Playing with your dogs daily helps you feel their body for lumps or ticks that may be latched on. You can easily make a note or take a photo after safely detaching and before discarding the tick. Here are a few tips on what you can do and simple practices you can follow to keep your dog safe from ticks.
Vet-recommended tick preventives:
- Anti-tick collars
- Topical application, sprays, shampoos, powders, oils
- Oral medication (every 3 months)
Grooming:
- Focus on ears, armpits, paws
- Bathe with tick-repellent shampoos
Garden care:
- Trim grass regularly
- Remove leaf litter
- Avoid tick hotspots
Post-walk checks:
- Daily tick checks
- Remove ticks ASAP with tweezers
Vaccinations:
- Lyme vaccine for high-risk areas
*Check with your vet in case you are travelling to a new location with your pet, and you are unsure of the area and if it is a likely tick-infested zone for a Lyme vaccine as a prevention.
When to Visit a Vet Immediately
If you notice any of these symptoms, rush your dog to BCS Pune or your nearest vet immediately.
- Lack of movement
- Severe lethargy
- Blood in the stool or urine
- Difficulty breathing
- Bleeding from the nose
- Seizures or tremors
Don’t delay. Waiting for a day or two to see if the symptoms subside on their own could be detrimental to your pet. Take action immediately; call your local vet ASAP.