What causes Ehrlichiosis and how is it transmitted by ticks?

Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial disease transmitted by ticks. It’s also called tracker dog disease due to the many tracker dogs in the military that caught it during the Vietnam war. Both humans and dogs are susceptible to separate strains of this disease and it’s been reported in every region of the United States.

If left untreated Ehrlichiosis goes through three separate phases: acute, subclinical, and chronic. Many dogs are able to fight off the infection during the acute phase. There are no symptoms during the subclinical phase, but stress can lead to the onset of the chronic phase.

Antibiotics are used for treatment, but there is no vaccine for Ehrlichiosis, which could make tick prevention a matter of extreme importance for you and your pooch.

– Dr. Larry McDaniel, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

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