What are Ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and why are they a concern?

Dogs are susceptible to a number of microbial diseases that are carried by infected ticks. Two of the most worrisome are Ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. If detected in the early stages, these diseases can often be treated successfully with antibiotics. But success is not always a sure thing.

Susan Little, Professor of Veterinary Parisitology at Oklahoma State University, says that certain strains of erlichiosis in America’s Southwest progress very rapidly: “sometimes, with those severe cases…we will have fatalities.”

Little says the later phases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be equally devastating. The best way to protect your dog from these diseases is to use tick-control products year-round.

– Dr. Andrea Looney, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

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