Tick Fever in Dogs and Cats: Signs,Stages and Treatment Options Every Pet Parent Must Know

Tick Fever in Dogs and Cats: Signs,Stages and Treatment Options Every Pet Parent Must Know

One of the most widespread and misconceived health issues in dogs (and, in a much rarer instance, cats) is tick fever. It is not one disease but a collection of tick-borne infections that your pet becomes infected when ticks bite its blood.

Such infections may be silent and lead to severe complications in case they are not diagnosed in time. To the pet parents, knowing the signs, stages, and treatment of tick fever will be the deciding factor between a short period of illness and a long one.

What Is Tick Fever?

Tick fever is associated with diseases that are caused by pathogens that are transmitted by tick bites. The most prevalent causative organisms are:

Ehrlichia (causes Ehrlichiosis)

Babesia (causes Babesiosis)

Anaplasma (causes Anaplasmosis)

Hepatozoon (infrequent but severe)

These parasites are absorbed into the blood when an infected tick clings onto your pet. They break into the body and destroy blood cells, and suppress the immune system.

Dogs are more effective as they are more outdoors, but cats may also be infected with tick-borne diseases, particularly in tick-infested areas.

How Do Pets Get Tick Fever?

Ticks thrive in:

Grasslands and gardens

Humid and warm climates

Shrubs, ground, and outdoor beds.

Transmission happens when:

A tick bites the skin and sucks the blood.

The tick is left to hang a few hours.

Saliva allows pathogens to get into the blood.

There is a risk of the infection of even indoor pets in case ticks are brought indoors on clothes, shoes, or other animals.

Why Tick Fever Is Dangerous?

Tick fever is threatening as:

The symptoms can be mild initially and can be ignored easily.

It influences blood cells and the essential organs.

It suppresses immunity, thus exposing pets to other infections.

Late diagnosis may cause a chronic disease or demise.

Early detection is crucial.

Tick Fever Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms will change with the stage and type of infection, but the signs that are common are:

High Fever: An acute increase in body temperature is usually the first indication that the body of your pet has been engaged in combating an infection.

Loss of Appetite: Pets can turn away food because of the illness because of feeling uncomfortable, feeling weak or nauseated.

Lethargy and Weakness: Your pet might appear disproportionately fatigued, inactive and uninterested in motion or play.

Swelling of Lymph Nodes: Swollen glands show that the immune system is in the process of reacting to infection.

Pale Gums (indication of Anemia): Light-coloured gums indicate that there is a low number of red blood cells as a result of being damaged by blood parasites.

Weight Loss: The persistent infection and lack of appetite may result in the apparent loss of body weight.

Nosebleeds or Abnormal Bleeding: Low platelet count may result in spontaneous nosebleeding or gums bleeding.

Vomiting or diarrhea: Digestive upset can also be a symptom because the infection has an impact on the general body functioning.

Pain and Stiffness: The inflammation may make movement painful, which will result in limping or unwillingness to walk.

Eye Inflammation: The eyes may become red or discharged as a result of the inflammatory response of the body.

In cats, the symptoms can be less pronounced, including reduced activity, inability to groom, and slight fever.

Stages of Tick Fever

Tick fever occurs in three phases, particularly Ehrlichiosis.

Acute Stage (Early Stage)

It happens 1-3 weeks following a tick bite.

Symptoms:

Fever

Lethargy

Swollen lymph nodes

Mild bleeding issues

Loss of appetite

This is a phase that is usually confused with a small infection. When cured at this stage, the cure is normally fast.

Subclinical Stage (Unrecognized Stage)

This process can take months.

Symptoms:

No visible signs

The infection is present in the body silently.

Slow destruction of blood cells and immune system.

As the disease continues, pets may seem normal in the process.

Chronic Stage (Severe Stage)

This is the phase that is the most hazardous.

Symptoms:

Severe anemia

Significant weight loss

Constant nose bleed (nose, gums)

Organ damage (liver, kidneys)

Weakness and collapse

It is at this point that treatment gets complicated, and the recovery time is prolonged.

Diagnosis of Tick Fever

Checking tick fever, veterinarians apply a number of techniques:

Platelets and red blood cell count are assessed through blood tests.

Detection of specific pathogens in ticks by PCR tests.

Peripheral blood smear to detect parasites.

Rapid tick fever test kits

Treatment Options for Tick Fever

Tick fever can also be treated especially in patients who have been diagnosed early.

Medications

The most frequently prescribed antibiotic against Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis is Doxycycline.

Babesiosis Antiprotozoal drugs.

Antipyretics and analgesics.

Supportive Care

Fluids to avoid dehydration IV.

Nutritional support

Severe cases of anemia: Blood transfusion.

Duration of Treatment

Usually 3–4 weeks of medication

Recovery follow-up blood tests.

Early withdrawal of medication leads to relapse.

Home Care During Recovery

Pet parents are very instrumental in recovery.

Observing medication schedule: Take all the medicines being prescribed punctually and over the entire amount of time prescribed by the vet.

Feeding: Feed your pet an easy to digest nutritious food that contains high amounts of nutrients to restore its strength, boost immunity, and overcome weakness due to the infection.

Keep the pet hydrated: It is important to have fresh water at all times.

Get rest: Keep down the activity and provide a restful environment so that the body of your pet can concentrate on healing.

Limit outdoor contact in the recovery process: Keeping your pet inside helps to avoid further exposure to ticks and helps reduce chances of further infections as long as the immunity is low.

Keep track of energy and appetite.

Can Cats Get Tick Fever?

Cats can also have tick fever although it is not as prevalent as it is in dogs.

Fever: An increase in body temperature could show that the cat is struggling with infection.

Lethargy: The cat can be unusually sluggish, less active and not interested in movements.

Appetite loss: Weakness or discomfort prevents the infected cats from taking food.

Bone gums: Pale gums may be an indicator of anemia due to the infection.

Due to the fact that these symptoms are minor and easy to miss, diagnosis is usually late. A cat found having ticks should be taken to a veterinarian immediately.

Preventing Tick Fever

It is better to prevent rather than cure.

Tick Control Measures

Spot-ons, collars or sprays of tick prevention used regularly.

Washing the fur of your pet after walks.

Maintaining grass and garden mowed.

Cleaning the pet beddings frequently.

Grooming and Hygiene

Stepping into an anti-tick shampoo bath on a regular basis.

Rubbing fur to feel ticks.

Keeping indoor spaces clean

Avoid Tick-Infested Areas

Dense bushes

Damp grassy areas

Stray animal resting spots

How to Remove a Tick Safely?

On your pet, in case of a tick, it is essential to remove it carefully in order to avoid the infection.

Take a tick remover device or tweezers: These will assist in holding the tick in position, but not squeeze the body.

Pull step: Pull slowly and without twisting: Slower pulling will get the tick out of the skin completely.

Do not squash the tick: Crushing may spurt infected fluid onto the skin of your pet.

Clean the bite site after removal: Cleaning of the bite site decreases the risk of infection.

Wash hands: Germs spread after touching the tick can be prevented by proper hygiene.

Spotting a Tick- When to Take Your Pet to the Vet?

Some of the warning signs are medical emergencies.

Continuous fever: Recurrent elevated temperature is an indication of a severe infection.

Nose or Gum Bleeding: This can signify a decrease in the number of the platelets and the problem of blood clotting.

Extreme Weakness: This is extreme lethargy, which demonstrates that the body is not able to cope with the disease easily.

Do not eat longer than a day: The intake of food can easily make the situation of your pet worse.

Weight loss: According to the current definition, sudden weight loss is an indication of extreme sickness and ill health.

These are the Long-term consequences of untreated tick fever

The tick fever should not be ignored because it may cause severe health problems.

Chronic anemia: Permanent rupture of red cells undermines the body.

Kidney or liver failure: The vital organs can be damaged as the result of the long-term infection.

Lack of the immune system: The pet is more susceptible to other diseases.

Recurring infections: The untreated infection may come back after some time.

The worse the complications, the shorter the life of your pet.

Conclusion

Tick fever is a severe, yet avoidable and curable disease in dogs and cats. Early detection, knowledge of the stages and timely visiting the veterinary facility will save the life of your pet. Your best weapons as a responsible pet parent are regular tick prevention, good hygiene and awareness.

Pets can also be healed and lead a healthy and active life with the right care and without the threats of tick-borne diseases.