Tick Fever in Dogs: Recognizing Symptoms, Treatment Options, and Home Care

Understanding Tick Fever in Dogs

What is Tick Fever in Dogs?

Tick fever is a serious disease affecting dogs, commonly caused by blood parasites like Ehrlichia, Babesia etc. which enter the bloodstream when a tick bites and feeds.

How Tick Fever Spreads and Affects Dogs

Ticks act as carriers, transferring these pathogens from one host (dog) to another. Once infected, dogs can experience different symptoms, sometimes with life-threatening complications if left untreated.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Tick Fever

Early Signs of Tick Fever in Dogs

Early signs of tick fever in dogs can be subtle and easily missed. Initial symptoms often include slight changes in behavior, like increased tiredness/ lethargy, or decreased playfulness and may show reduced appetite. Physical signs like white or pale gums and swollen lymph nodes can be easily diagnosed by your veterinarian during the examination.

Common Tick Fever Symptoms in Dogs

With progressive disease, fever is often one of the first prominent indicators. Affected dogs may show marked lethargy and loss of appetite becomes more pronounced, potentially leading to weight loss over time. Other physical symptoms can include swollen lymph nodes, pale/ white gums, anemia, and in severe cases, hemorrhage (internal or external) or difficulty breathing.

Differentiating Tick Fever Symptoms from Other Illnesses

Tick fever symptoms can resemble those of other illnesses, such as canine parvovirus, anemia, jaundice, joint disease, septicemia, lymphadenopathy, and other blood-related conditions (IMHA), making diagnosis challenging. One distinguishing feature of tick fever is the association with recent tick exposure or previous history of tick fever.

Treatment Options for Tick Fever in Dogs

Best Tick Medicine for Dogs

The best tick medicines for dogs include oral medications like afoxolaner, fluralaner, and sarolaner, as well as topical treatments containing fipronil or permethrin. Oral medications are especially effective as they kill ticks quickly, often within hours, breaking the cycle of disease transmission. Topical treatments are also effective, spreading across the skin to repel and kill ticks on contact.

Prompt treatment is crucial because ticks quickly transmit diseases like tick fever after attachment. We advise pet parents to take immediate action by bringing their pets to Zigly vetcare. This reduces the risk of the pathogens spreading into the bloodstream, helping prevent severe symptoms like anemia, fever, and organ damage. Early intervention supports a faster recovery and reduces the likelihood of complications, ensuring better long-term health for your dog.

Tick Medication for Dogs: Pills and Tablets

Tick pills and tick tablets are highly effective, convenient options for tick prevention and treatment in dogs. These oral medications, containing active ingredients like afoxolaner, fluralaner, and sarolaner, work by entering the dog’s bloodstream, where ticks ingest them upon biting. The chemicals target the tick’s nervous system, causing paralysis and death within hours, which prevents the tick from attaching long enough to transmit diseases like tick fever.

Oral tick preventatives typically provide 1–3 months of protection with a single dose, making them a low-maintenance choice for busy pet owners. Unlike topical treatments, which can be washed off or diluted, tick pills remain effective regardless of bathing, swimming, or weather. They’re especially beneficial in areas with heavy tick populations or where dogs have frequent exposure to ticks. However, a veterinarian should recommend the specific type and dosage, as some tick medications are more suitable for certain breeds, sizes, or health conditions.

Veterinary Care vs. Home Treatment for Tick Fever

Treating tick fever in dogs at home can help manage mild symptoms and support recovery, but professional veterinary care is essential in many cases, especially for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Home Treatment

Home care for tick fever typically involves keeping the dog comfortable, managing fever with cool spaces or light compresses, ensuring hydration, and providing a nutritious, easily digestible diet to support the immune system. While this can alleviate mild symptoms, home treatment alone does not address the underlying infection, which requires specific antibiotics or anti-parasitic medications.

Professional Veterinary Care

Veterinary care is crucial because tick fever often causes systemic effects like anemia, organ damage, or severe immune response issues. Zigly vets will run blood tests to confirm the type of tick-borne pathogen and prescribe medications (like doxycycline or imidocarb) tailored to eliminate it. We will also provide IV fluids, medications for symptom control, and possibly supportive therapies like blood transfusions in severe cases.

When to Seek Medical Help

Prompt veterinary intervention is essential if you notice severe symptoms, including high fever, extreme lethargy, loss of appetite, pale gums, labored breathing, or nosebleeds. Early medical help ensures timely treatment, reducing the risk of serious complications and improving the likelihood of full recovery.

Home Care for Dogs with Tick Fever

What to Feed a Dog with Tick Fever

For a dog recovering from tick fever, a nutrient-rich, easily digestible diet is crucial to support immunity, restore energy, and aid in recovery. Bone broth is an excellent addition, providing hydration, minerals, and extra protein in an easy-to-digest form.

Additionally, avoid processed foods, excessive fats, or ingredients that are hard to digest. Always consult a veterinarian before making dietary changes to ensure the diet is tailored to the dog’s specific needs during recovery.

Managing Symptoms of Tick Fever at Home

Caring for a dog with tick fever at home requires close attention to comfort, hydration, and gentle support to help manage symptoms like fever and lethargy. Here are some tips:

I. Manage Fever: If your dog has a mild fever, cool their environment by providing a fan or cool towels to lie on. Avoid ice or overly cold compresses, as they can cause discomfort. Always follow any veterinarian-prescribed fever reducers rather than using human medications, which can be harmful to dogs.

II. Encourage Rest: Dogs with tick fever are often tired and need extra rest. Set up a quiet, cozy space away from distractions and encourage your dog to rest as much as necessary. Avoid strenuous activities, including long walks, as these can exhaust your dog further.

III. Hydration: Offer fresh water frequently and encourage small sips if your dog seems reluctant to drink. You can add low-sodium broth to their water to make it more appealing. Keeping them hydrated is essential for recovery and fever management.

IV. Nutritional Support: Provide small, frequent meals that are nutrient-dense and easy to digest. Warmed, bland foods like chicken and rice or veterinary-recommended recovery diets can help maintain strength.

V. Comfort and Reassurance: Spend gently comforting your dog with petting and soothing words. This reassurance can reduce stress and promote healing.

Preventing Future Tick Infections

Preventing tick fever in dogs requires a proactive approach using a combination of effective treatments like tick shampoos, sprays, and medications. Here’s a rundown of the best options:

I. Tick Shampoos: Tick shampoos, formulated with ingredients like pyrethrin, kill and remove ticks on contact. When used every two to three weeks, shampoos can be helpful for dogs with regular tick exposure, but they work best when combined with other preventatives for lasting protection.

II. Tick Sprays: Tick sprays provide spot-on protection, especially in high-risk areas. Many sprays contain permethrin or fipronil and can be used on both the dog and bedding areas to prevent reinfestation. Sprays offer immediate protection for dogs frequently exposed to outdoor environments and can be reapplied as needed, based on veterinary guidance.

III. Tick Preventative Medication: Oral or topical tick medications are often the most effective long-term solution. Oral treatments like afoxolaner or fluralaner are given monthly or quarterly respectively and work by killing ticks shortly after they bite, preventing disease transmission. Topical treatments, applied directly to the dog’s skin, repel and kill ticks for several weeks and are great for regular protection.

A combined approach—like a tick collar with regular medications and occasional shampoos or sprays—can create a robust defense to prevent future tick fever cases.

Preventing Tick Fever with Proper Tick Control

The Importance of Regular Tick Prevention

Regular tick prevention is essential because ticks are persistent parasites that can transmit serious diseases like tick fever (Ehrlichiosis and Babesiosis) within hours of attachment. Without consistent prevention, dogs are at higher risk for tick bites, which can lead to repeated infections. Preventative measures, like tick collars, shampoos, sprays, and medications, work by repelling or killing ticks before they can bite or spread pathogens, significantly reducing disease transmission.

Best Tick Treatments and Medications for Long-term Prevention

I. One-month efficacy:

a. Spot-Ons: Frontline Plus, Fiprofort Plus

b. Tablets: Nexgard, Simparica Trio

II. Three Months Efficacy:

Tablets: Bravecto Chew. 

You can procure all these medications from Zigly retail stores as we have in house pharmacy to make medicine procurement easy for pet parents. 

Tick Prevention Products and Techniques

I. Injections: Ivermectin, Doramectin 

II. Pills: Neomac (Ivermectin), Nexgard, Simparica, Bravecto

III. Collars: Seresto, Killtix

IV. Topical Treatment: 

a. Dips: Amitraz, Lime Sulphur 

b. Spray: Fixotic Advance, Fiprofort, Freedom

c. Spot-ons: Frontline Plus, Fiprofort Plus, Effitix

In case your dog suffers from tick fever, we recommend you take it to the nearest Zigly store. Based on the condition of your dog, our vets will treat it with one of the above-mentioned preventive methods.

FAQs About Tick Fever in Dogs

1. How long does it take for tick fever symptoms to appear in dogs?

Incubation period of tick fever in dogs, depending on the type of infection (such as Ehrlichia or Babesia), generally ranges from 7 to 21 days after a tick bite.

2. Can I treat my dog for tick fever at home?

If you see any symptoms of tick fever then It's always best to take treatment advice from a veterinarian. You can follow the medication schedule at home and ensure a revisit as per schedule.

3. What are the most effective tick prevention products for dogs?

Tick prevention can be done using powders, spot-on solutions, shampoo, tablets, collars, sprays, and dips. Usually, products like spot-on solutions containing Fipronil S-methoprene and tablets containing Flurlaner are the best solutions.

4. What are the long-term effects of tick fever on dogs?

If not treated promptly, in long-term tick fever can lead to chronic anemia, hemorrhage, weak immunity, organ damage (especially to the liver and kidneys), and loss of life in severe cases.

5. Can tick fever recur in dogs after treatment?

Yes, tick fever can relapse in dogs after treatment if the causative organisms remain dormant in the body. Stress or a weak immune system can be one of the reasons.