What is ehrlichiosis and can also have a wide range of signs Who should I contact, if I what causes it? including loss of appetite, weight suspect ehrlichiosis? Ehrlichiosis (air-lick-ee-OH-sis) is a loss, prolonged fever, weakness, and In Animals – group of similar diseases caused by bleeding disorders. Contact your veterinarian. In Humans – several different bacteria that attack Can I get ehrlichiosis? the body’s white blood cells (cells Contact your physician. Yes. People can become infected involved in the immune system that with ehrlichiosis if they are bitten by How can I protect my animal help protect against disease). The an infected tick (vector). The disease organisms that cause ehrlichiosis are from ehrlichiosis? is not spread by direct contact with found throughout the world and are Ehrlichiosis is best prevented by infected animals. However, animals spread by infected ticks. Symptoms in controlling ticks. Inspect your pet can be carriers of ticks with the animals and humans can range from frequently for the presence of ticks bacteria and bring them into contact mild, flu-like illness (fever, body aches) and remove them promptly if found. with humans. Ehrlichiosis can also to severe, possibly fatal disease. Contact your veterinarian for effective be transmitted through blood tick control products to use on What animals get transfusions, but this is rare. your animal. ehrlichiosis? Disease in humans varies from How can I protect myself Many animals can be affected by mild infection to severe, possibly fatal ehrlichiosis, although the specific infection. Symptoms may include from ehrlichiosis? bacteria involved may vary with the flu-like signs (chills, body aches and The risk for infection is decreased animal species. Ehrlichiosis has been headache). In a small number of by preventing tick bites. When reported in dogs, coyotes, wolves, cases a skin rash may be seen. Severe entering tick-prone areas, wear insect foxes, cats, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, cases may have a cough, difficulty repellent, a long sleeved shirt, long llamas, deer, elk, and rodents. breathing, prolonged fever, kidney pants and closed-toed shoes. Check problems, bleeding disorders, and frequently for ticks and remove them How can my animal get possibly seizures or coma. promptly if found. Removing a tick ehrlichiosis? before it has been attached for more Animals become infected with than 24 hours greatly reduces the risk the bacteria that cause ehrlichiosis of infection. after being bitten by an infected tick For More Information (vector). Less commonly, infection Ehrlichiosis can also be transmitted through a is caused by bacteria, CFSPH Technical Fact Sheets. Ehrlichiosis blood transfusion in animals. spread by ticks, that attack at http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/ DiseaseInfo/ cells of the immune system How does ehrlichiosis affect of many species. CDC website. Human Ehrlichiosis at http:// my animal? www.cdc.gov/ehrlichiosis/ Disease from ehrlichiosis infection can vary depending on the bacteria involved. Signs are non-specific, such as reduced appetite, fever, swollen lymph nodes, depression, weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea. Infected animals may recover on Left photo American dog tick (From www. their own or the infection can persist discoverlife.org). Right photo shows bacteria in a white blood cell (From webmedic4u) to a long term (chronic) illness. This
© 2013