Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Tick-borne diseases in UK dogs: symptoms, tests, and treatment
By Silvestrini, P et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2023·Ryan Veterinary Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical presentation, diagnostic investigations, treatment protocols and outcomes of dogs diagnosed with tick-borne diseases living in the United Kingdom: 76 cases (2005-2019).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs in the UK were diagnosed with tick-borne diseases, including ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, Lyme disease, and anaplasmosis, often after traveling to areas where these diseases are common. Many of these dogs showed vague symptoms like fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite, along with abnormal lab results. Despite some dogs not having a travel history, targeted treatments were successful in helping 64 out of 76 dogs recover. This highlights the importance of considering tick-borne diseases even in non-endemic areas.
People also search for: dog tick-borne disease symptoms · ehrlichiosis treatment in dogs · Lyme disease in dogs UK
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To report the presence of tick-borne diseases in dogs living in the United Kingdom. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dogs with a final diagnosis of tick-borne diseases made between January 2005 and August 2019 at seven referral institutions in the United Kingdom were included in the study. RESULTS: Seventy-six dogs were included: 25 were diagnosed with ehrlichiosis, 23 with babesiosis, eight with Lyme borreliosis and six with anaplasmosis. Fourteen dogs had co-infections with two or three pathogens. Except for those dogs with anaplasmosis and Lyme borreliosis, most dogs with tick-borne diseases had a history of travel to or from endemic countries. However, three dogs with ehrlichiosis, and one dog each infected with Babesia canis and Babesia vulpes did not have any history of travel. A variety of non-specific clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities were reported. Targeted treatment was successful at achieving clinical remission in 64 (84%) dogs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Even in non-endemic areas, veterinary surgeons should consider tick-borne diseases in dogs with compatible clinical presentation and laboratory findings and especially where there is a history of travel. As autochthonous transmission of tick-borne-pathogens does occur, an absence of travel should not rule out tick-borne diseases. Specific diagnostic testing is required to confirm infection, and this enables prompt targeted treatment and often a positive outcome.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36727469/