Ehrlichia in Dogs: 2025 Veterinary Guide to Symptoms, Testing & Tick-Borne Treatment 🧬🐶

Hello, I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, and this 2025 guide explores a challenging tick-borne disease affecting dogs across the globe: ehrlichiosis. Caused by Ehrlichia bacteria, this condition impacts white blood cells and can lead to severe immune dysfunction if left untreated. Let’s break down everything you need to know—signs, tests, treatment, and how to protect your pup. 🩸🦟

🧫 What Is Ehrlichia?

Ehrlichia are intracellular bacteria—meaning they live inside white blood cells. They’re transmitted via tick bites and are tough to eradicate because many antibiotics can’t penetrate inside cells. 🧬

There are two primary species concerning dogs:

• Ehrlichia canis – causes Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (CME)
• Ehrlichia ewingii – causes Canine Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis (CGE)

🦟 How Is Ehrlichia Transmitted?

Ehrlichia spreads through tick bites. Ticks carry the organism and transmit it during feeding—possibly in less than 48 hours. The main culprits:

• Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) – transmits E. canis
• Lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) – transmits E. ewingii

Ticks can carry multiple pathogens, so co-infections with Babesia, Anaplasma, or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are common. 🧬🦠

📉 Symptoms of Ehrlichiosis in Dogs

Illness progresses through three stages:

1. Acute Phase (1–3 weeks post-bite)

• 🤒 Fever
• 🥱 Lethargy
• 🩸 Reduced platelets (risk of bruising or bleeding)
• 🦴 Enlarged spleen or lymph nodes
• 🧠 Occasionally neurological signs

2. Subclinical Phase (months to years)

No outward signs, but Ehrlichia hides in the spleen. Subtle lab changes like:

• 📉 Low platelet count
• 🧪 High globulin levels (immune proteins)

3. Chronic Phase

• 💥 Bleeding disorders (60% of chronic cases)
• 🧠 Seizures or neurological decline
• 👁️ Eye inflammation (uveitis)
• 🧪 Protein loss via urine (kidney damage)
• 📉 Pancytopenia (low red, white, and platelet counts)

German Shepherds may experience more severe disease. Early treatment is critical. ⚠️

🧪 Diagnosing Ehrlichia

There are two main testing methods:

1. Antibody Testing (Screening)

• ✅ Quick, often done in-clinic
• ❌ Doesn’t confirm active infection—only exposure
• 📈 Antibodies may take weeks to develop
• 🧪 Not useful for early or immunosuppressed cases

2. PCR Testing (Confirmatory)

• 🧬 Detects Ehrlichia DNA in the blood
• ✅ Best for active infection
• 🕓 Remains positive for weeks after recovery

💡 These tests complement each other: antibody tests identify exposure; PCR confirms active infection.

💊 Treatment Protocols

Doxycycline is the treatment of choice. Most protocols include:

• 💊 28 days of doxycycline
• 🧪 Follow-up PCR test 2 weeks post-treatment
• 🧫 If positive, repeat 28-day course
• 🧬 Final PCR test after another 2 months

In chronic or severe cases, additional treatments may include:

• 🩸 Blood transfusions
• 💊 Corticosteroids for immune-mediated complications
• 🌡️ Alternative antibiotics like chloramphenicol or imidocarb if resistance occurs

🛡️ Prevention Tips for 2025

• 🧴 Use monthly tick preventatives
• 🌳 Avoid high-risk tick environments (tall grass, woods)
• 🔍 Do daily tick checks after outdoor activity
• 🏡 Keep yards trimmed and brush-free

📱 Ask A Vet: Ehrlichia Care Support

If your dog has been exposed or diagnosed, Ask A Vet provides:

• 📋 Lab test interpretation
• 📞 Supportive care guidance
• 🧪 Monitoring protocols
• 💊 Medication management and dosing tips

Download the Ask A Vet app or visit AskAVet.com for personalized help managing ehrlichiosis and other tick-borne diseases. 🐾📲

✅ Summary: Ehrlichia in Dogs

• 🧬 Ehrlichia is a tick-borne bacterial infection
• 🧫 Lives inside white blood cells and hides from antibiotics
• 💉 Treatable with long courses of doxycycline
• 🧪 Diagnosed with antibody and PCR testing
• 🦠 Prevention via tick control is essential
• 📱 Ask A Vet helps manage testing, treatment, and recovery

Don’t let Ehrlichia go unnoticed—early diagnosis and care can make all the difference. 🐕🩺

— Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

For more support, visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app today. Together, we’ll keep your dog safe from tick-borne threats. 🐶📱