Description: It is also known as "Tracker Dog Disease", Canine Hemorrhagic Fever, Tropical Canine Pancytopenia, and Canine Typhus. Erlichiosis is a rickettsial disease which is transmitted by ticks including Lone Star Tick, Brown Dog Tick, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus. When tick feed on a dog infected with Erlichiosis, it can acquire the rickettsial agent and pass it on when it feeds on another animal. The clinical disease is characterized with phases--acute phase, subclinical phase, and the chronic phase. The acute phase lasts for 2-4 weeks and characterized by the entry and multiplication of the Erlichia within white blood cells resulting in the destruction of the blood platelets. There is also enlargement of the spleen, liver, and lymph nodes. Healthy dogs with conditioned immune systems can fight off the disease at this phase, however, there are cases that progress to the subclinical phase. This phase is characterized b y anemia. Chronic phase is manifested by neurological signs, anemica, bleeding, weight loss, edema in the hind legs, inflammation of t he eye and fever. Severe cases may lead to glomerulonephritis (Kidney Disease). Blood tests--Indirect Immunofluorescent Antibody (IFA) AND ELISA Test can help establish the presence of antibodies against Erlichia. Tetracyclines or Doxycycline are commonly used antibiotics to treat Erlichiosis. For severe cases, blood transfusions and fluid therapy may be neded.

Breeds Commonly Affected: Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd