- Drops in when you least expet it
- Always stays too long
- Does not follow the rules of the household
- Often wreaks havoc during their stay
- only later do you realize the damage they caused
- you never know when they will visit again
Ehrlichia - a rickettsial organism usually (though, not always) spread by ticks, meets all the criteria of the univited guest. If you haven't been visited by this guest, you may be visited soon. It helps to be prepared.
This document serves as an update to the original Ehrlichia article which was rescued from the web archives and is resident on my website.
According to Border Terrier case histories I have collected:
- 60 Borders have contracted Ehrlichiosis
- 33 were infected with E. risticii only
- 14 were infected with E. canis only
- 4 were positive for both E. risticii and E. canis
- 1 was positive for E. canis as well as Blastomycosis
- 8 were either not tested, or their titers came up negative for E. canis and/or E. risticii
Of the eight dogs with either no tests or negative tests, their signs were consistent with ehrlichiosis and they responded to treatment with doxycycline or tetracycline. At least 2 of those who tested negative (but had signs of tick-related illness) had been treated with steroids prior to testing. Many other cases are suspected in which little or no follow-up has occurred. The majority of dogs infected with E. canis had known tick contact. Of those who were positive for E. risticii infection, no ticks were observed on the dogs or in the environment, but many had suffered flea infestation.
Seven out of these eight dogs died with signs that their deaths were directly attributable to ehrlichiosis.
PCR testing is available through the University of Illinois if the titer tests have proven inconclusive. Other laboratories may have this available and you may wish to inquire through your veterinarian or through contacting university veterinary laboratories.
PCR testing involves looking for DNA particles from the actual rickettsial organism. This is an excellent follow-up test when trying to determine if a dog has been cleared of infection. It is also occasionally used in cases where signs are consistent with ehrlichial infection, but titers are negative. I still believe that the University of Illinois is the most reliable testing facility. We have had many cases of inconsistent findings involving other laboratories.
- Many areas of the U.S. are now considered endemic (i.e., ehrlichiosis exposure is possible in any area of these regions, and multiple cases are being reported on a regular basis). A certain percentage of dogs in these regions will test positive but not show signs of disease. These are the "healthy carriers".
- Ehrlichiosis occurs worldwide.
- No region in the U.S. should be considered free of ehrlichiosis. The midwest has become a "hotbed" for Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis (HGE), first widely reported in 1996.
- No dog should be considered safe on the basis that he did not have tick contact. Ticks are not required for risticii infection. E. risticii is thus far more prevelent in Border Terriers than E. canis.
How Ehrlichia Affects Your Dog - this page contains a diagram with explanation below of the symptoms detected from dogs with ehrlichia.
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