DOGS · Condition guide
Ehrlichiosis in dogs: what real veterinary cases show
Ehrlichiosis in dogs is a disease caused by the Ehrlichia bacteria, which is transmitted through tick bites. It primarily affects the immune system and can lead to serious health issues if not treated promptly. This condition is more common in areas where ticks are prevalent.
Owners often first notice symptoms such as fever, lethargy, and swollen lymph nodes. Early detection is crucial because, if left untreated, ehrlichiosis can progress to more severe stages, affecting the dog's overall health and quality of life.
What vets typically check for
- Conduct a thorough physical examination and obtain a detailed history of tick exposure.
- Perform blood tests, including a complete blood count and serology, to detect the presence of Ehrlichia antibodies.
- Consider PCR testing for more definitive identification of Ehrlichia DNA.
- Evaluate organ function through biochemical profiles to assess the impact on the liver and kidneys.
- Initiate treatment with antibiotics such as doxycycline and monitor the dog's response to therapy.
Not a replacement for veterinary care. Use this to walk into the conversation prepared, not to self-diagnose.
Real cases from the veterinary literature
Peer-reviewed reports our semantic search surfaces for Canine ehrlichiosis. Click into any case for the full abstract — or run a personalised search with your pet's exact details.
- Microfilaremia by Cercopithifilaria bainae in a dog from the central western region of Brazil: case report
Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia · BR
An 8-year-old male dog was brought to the vet with symptoms like loss of appetite, fever, trouble walking, enlarged pupils, and a lump on his left testicle. Tests revealed he had a parasitic infection caused by a worm called Cercopithifilaria bainae, which is spread by ticks. The dog also had a concurrent infection from another organism, Ehrlichia. After identifying the parasit
- Case Report: Acute Ehrlichia canis induced Severe Hepatitis and Its Management in a Fijian Dog
Media Kedokteran Hewan · 2026 · ID
A 4-year-old female Boerboel was brought to the vet after showing signs of not eating, being very tired, having dark, tarry stools, high fever, and dark urine for three days. The vet found that she had ticks on her body and ran blood tests, which showed severe liver issues and confirmed a tick-borne disease called ehrlichiosis. The treatment included a 28-day course of doxycycl
- Vector-borne pathogens in Spanish greyhounds from Central Spain: Prevalence and hematobiochemical findings.
Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports · 2026 · Spain
A group of Spanish greyhounds from central Spain were tested for common diseases spread by ticks and mosquitoes. About 10% had antibodies for Anaplasma, 3.1% for Ehrlichia, and 13.1% for Leishmania, while none tested positive for heartworm. Younger dogs were more likely to have Ehrlichia, and those with infections showed changes in their blood counts, indicating potential healt
- Low exposure of dogs to ticks and Rickettsia spp. in the vicinity of the largest inland Atlantic rainforest remnant in Southern Brazil.
Acta tropica · 2026
A group of dogs living near Iguaçu National Park in Brazil were tested for ticks and exposure to Rickettsia bacteria, which can be harmful. Out of 116 rural dogs and 22 urban dogs, about 28% had ticks, and 43% of the rural dogs showed signs of exposure to Rickettsia. The study found that while ticks were present, the overall risk for these dogs was lower compared to other areas
- Two cases of Ehrlichia canis acquired locally in Victoria.
Australian veterinary journal · 2026 · Australia
A 10-year-old female Yorkshire Terrier and a 2-year-old female Great Dane were both brought to the vet with symptoms like anemia, fever, and low platelet counts. After initial treatments for immune-mediated disease didn’t work, further tests revealed they both had Ehrlichia canis, a tick-borne infection. The Yorkshire Terrier was treated with doxycycline and rifampicin, and she
- Vertical transmission of tick-borne and hemotropic pathogens in pregnant dogs: first report involving Babesia vogeli and Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum.
Acta tropica · 2026 · Brazil
A group of pregnant dogs was found to pass certain blood infections to their puppies before birth. Specifically, infections like Babesia vogeli and Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum were detected in stillborn puppies and newborns. This means that these pathogens can be transmitted from mother to puppy, which could be a concern for dog owners. Understanding this transmission i
Frequently asked questions
- What are the signs of ehrlichiosis in dogs?
- Common signs include fever, lethargy, weight loss, and swollen lymph nodes. In advanced cases, bleeding disorders and neurological signs may occur.
- How is ehrlichiosis transmitted?
- Ehrlichiosis is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. It's important to use tick prevention measures to reduce the risk of infection.
- Can ehrlichiosis be cured?
- Yes, with prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment, most dogs recover well. However, some may experience chronic issues if the disease is advanced.