Preventing Canine Ehrlichiosis with Seresto Collar

Winter has arrived in Australia, and like every year, many pet owners may want to take their animal companions on outdoor holidays. From snowy mountains in NSW to the Victorian Alps in Victoria, are a couple of the many desired outdoor domestic destinations Australians prefer for holidays during this season. While winter may mean the fun season for many Australians, it may no longer mean the same for their furry friends as a new tick-borne disease called ‘Ehrlichiosis‘ hit the Australian soil recently.

Dog parents are cautioned to be watchful against this new disease, especially when going outdoors with their dogs. This blog covers all the information you need to know about Ehrlichiosis in dogs, including the role of the popular Seresto Collar in preventing this disease.

WHAT IS ‘EHRLICHIOSIS’ in Dogs?

Ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne disease transmitted by ticks infected with bacteria called ‘Ehrlichia canis’ (E.canis). The brown dog ticks are the known primary carriers of this disease. A single bite of E.canis bacteria is enough to cause the infection. It is important to keep in mind that infected dogs do not transmit this disease to other non-infected dogs. The disease is transmitted only through the infected tick bite.

THE REGIONS: Ehrlichiosis in Australian Dogs

The disease was first detected in the northern parts of Western Australia in May 2020 in regions like Kimberly, Kununurra, Halls Creek, and the Pilbara region of South Hedland and Port Hedland. Today, E.canis infestations can affect dogs all over Australia and therefore, it is important to keep our fur friends protected.

Signs of Ehrlichiosis:

The symptoms of Ehrlichiosis progress with time. Early signs of Ehrlichiosis are:

• Fever
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Discharge from the eyes and nose
• Abnormalities on blood tests including anaemia and low platelet counts
• Bleeding disorder (nosebleeds)

The intensity of the illness differs among dogs.

Once the dog gets the infection through an infected tick bite, it takes 1-3 weeks from the initial bite to show the symptoms. The chronic form of Ehrlichiosis may develop months or years following the infection.

Ehrlichiosis calls for veterinary treatment and supportive care, and it can also resemble other conditions with similar signs, including tick-borne diseases such as anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Therefore, if you notice any of the Ehrlichiosis symptoms, prompt veterinary treatment is necessary.

DIAGNOSIS of Ehrlichiosis:

The detection of Ehrlichiosis is done through serological and/or molecular testing. The immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) is used as the first screening test. PCR tests are used to detect organism-specific DNA in the blood. Urinary analysis can be also performed to detect an active infection.

TREATMENT of Ehrlichiosis:

Early treatment in infected dogs is the key to achieving a complete clinical resolution. Early introduction of antibiotics and primary supportive care may help in Ehrlichiosis treatment. Antibiotic treatment is necessary for at least four weeks daily.

SERESTO COLLAR AND EHRLICHIOSIS:

The principal measure against Ehrlichiosis is tick control. Repelling brown dog ticks before they bite is crucial for preventing dogs from being infected with Ehrlichiosis.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has recently granted an emergency permit to Seresto to help reduce the transmission of this illness.

While there are various tick products accessible, such as chewable, spot-on liquid treatments, and tablets, they depend on ticks to bite the dog and feed on blood to get killed from the active ingredient and kill ticks too slowly to stop transmission of disease. On the other hand, Seresto Collar for Dogs repels ticks to stop them from biting, hence it stops the transmission.

The unique polymer matrix of Seresto Collar holds the active ingredients in the collar itself. The collar contains neutral oils in the collar matrix, which permits the migration of active ingredients from the collar matrix to the surface of the collar to form a microlayer.

The active ingredients transfer from the microlayer on the collar surface into the natural lipid layer of the dog’s skin and hair. This activates further migration of ingredients to the collar surface to restore the concentration equilibrium which results in moving of the active ingredients only when needed, hence ensures protection is sustained for up to 8 months from fleas and ticks.

Additional Preventive Measures:

Preventative tick treatment is the ultimate way of preventing canine Ehrlichiosis.

• Dog parents should avoid taking their dogs to tick-prone areas.
• Houses, yards, and kennels should be frequently treated with flea and tick control products. and tick infestations in such areas should be managed by a professional pest controller.
• Owners should regularly inspect their dogs for tick infestations while paying special attention to the areas such as the head, neck, ears, chest, and between toes where ticks tend to hide.
• In addition, dog parents should closely observe if their dog shows any signs of Ehrlichiosis and if they do, should take them to the vet for investigations.

CONCLUSION:

Ticks are deadly creatures that transmit a number of tick-borne diseases in dogs, and Ehrlichiosis is now another addition to the list. Taking active measures to control ticks in your area and preventing them from infecting your dog with tick preventatives like Seresto Collar becomes more important than ever. So, prevent these disease-causing creatures and keep your dog safe and healthy. If you notice any symptoms of Ehrlichiosis in your dog, book a veterinary appointment immediately.