Why does my senior dog's tick fever keep coming back after treatment?

Question

Have a 13 year old street bitch. She was diagnosed on 1st Oct with tick fever (B. Gibsoni) with low platelet count of 40. Basis Pet doc consultation gave doxycycline hyclate twice daily for 21 days, multivitamins & liver tonic. She became fine but it relapsed again on 30th Nov. Doctor said it is due to stress from sudden onset of winter & advised to restart same medication. Query is (a) Is there no permanent solution & relapses due to stress (b) Does body not become immune to same medicine

David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS · Accepted Answer

Hello there! First of all a small correction- tick fever is caused by Erlichia and not by Babesia Gibsoni, although both conditions are tick born diseases and often cause almost similar symptoms and can even be found at the same time, they are not the same and treatment for each is different (B.Gibsoni is treated with Imidocrab). So it is important to make sure what was the diagnosis exactly. Tick fever can both reoccur if your dog gets infested with ticks again or can reappear spontaniously even if it has been treated for, this is especial true for chronic erlichiosis, your dog might need treatment from time to time (it has nothing to do with winter though). In chronic tick fever condition treatment might need to be given for more that 21 days and sometimes steroids needs to be prescribed as well.

Why does my senior dog's tick fever keep coming back after treatment?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

Why is my mouse's eye swollen, cloudy, and has pus?

What fish dog food helps dry skin if my dog eats Science Diet?

Why is my new pet biting? Is she stressed or scared in her new home?

My pet is breathing hard, not eating, and lethargic. What's wrong?

My pet has red spots all over. What's causing them and what to do?

My small pet is limping and can't bear weight. Should I see a vet?

Share