Human health
Infected dogs do not transmit ehrlichiosis to people, however, in rare cases, infected ticks may infect people. The Australian Government Department of Health has information on their website about ticks and human health precautions. Advice for dog owners
protect-your-dog.jpg
Image courtesy of DPI&R, NT
You can do a number of things to help prevent this disease in your dogs:
Have yo
ur dog on a tick control program if living in or travelling to areas where the brown dog tick is present such as northern Australia. Use repellent tick collars and spot-ons as the best primary protection, in combination with tablets and chews registered for tick control. Where possible, avoid taking your dogs into tick-infested areas. Inspect your dog daily for ticks, especially if they have been in a tick-infested area. Run your fingers through your dog’s coat over their skin and feel for abnormal bumps. Pay particular attention to the head and neck, inside their ears, on their chest, between their toes and around their mouths and gums. If you are travelling with your dogs to Australia’s northern regions, be particularly vigilant about tick-infested environments and congregations of dogs which may be carrying ticks. This includes places where you may stop at, like fuel stations and caravan parks. Contact your nearest vet if your dog is showing any of signs of the disease which include:
fever
lethargy
enlarged lymph nodes
loss of appetite
discharge from the eyes and nose
weight loss
anaemia and bleeding disorders such as nosebleeds or bleeding under the skin that looks like small spots, patches or bruising. nose-bleed.jpg
Photo courtesy of Dr John Beadle, All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, Broome
Ehrlichiosis requires veterinary treatment and supportive care, and it can also resemble other conditions with similar signs, including tick-borne diseases such as anaplasmosis and babesiosis which are already present. You should contact your private vet if you have a dog that is unwell because early treatment provides the best chance for them to recover. Reporting signs of the disease
Ehrlichiosis is a nationally notifiable disease. This means, if you suspect your dog is showing signs of the disease, you should seek veterinary advice. You or your vet can report the disease by calling the national Emergency Animal Disease Watch hotline on 1800 675 888. About ehrlichiosis
The disease ehrlichiosis is caused by a tick-borne bacteria called Ehrlichia canis. The disease has three phases: an ‘acute’ phase or early signs of disease, a ‘subclinical phase’ where there are no outward signs of disease and a ‘chronic’ or long-term stage of disease. Visible signs in the chronic form of the disease are similar to those in the acute phase but are more severe. Ehrlichiosis occurs worldwide, particularly in tropical and sub-tropical regions. bleeding-gums.jpg
Photo courtesy of Professor Peter Irwin
Once the disease is in the brown dog tick population it’s very difficult to control, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Government response to ehrlichiosis
The national Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases met in response to this disease incursion, and in November 2020 the committee considered the surveillance data. It agreed that it was not technically feasible to eradicate the disease because it is established in the NT and north WA. The state and federal governments will continue to work on ehrlichiosis through the Animal Health Committee which comprises the Chief Veterinary Officers from each jurisdiction. The committee is currently investigating whether it is possible and practical to implement nationally consistent control strategies for the disease. Most jurisdictions are running awareness campaigns to inform the community and travellers about ehrlichiosis and the actions they can take to prevent the disease in their dogs.
