Ticks cause a number of disease in dogs, such as ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, according to the Canine Epilepsy Guardian Angels and DogsandTicks.com. The symptoms are varied and some can be confused with symptoms of similar diseases, such as the canine influenza virus. Knowing the signs of tick-borne diseases in dogs can help catch these diseases early and make treatment easier, explains the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation.
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Neurological Symptoms
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Seizures are neurological symptoms often associated with epilepsy, although they can also signify other diseases, says the Canine Epilepsy Guardian Angels. Tick-borne diseases such as anaplasmosis, babesiosis and ehrlichiosis cause seizures in some dogs, and ehrlichiosis causes other neurological symptoms, such as obsessive-compulsive behavior and palsy. Rocky Mountain spotted fever also causes neurological abnormalities.
Cold-Like Symptoms
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Cold-like symptoms such as coughing and labored breathing sometimes signify tick-borne diseases, including babesiosis and ehrlichiosis, according to DogsandTicks.com. The addition of pneumonia, a runny nose and runny eyes suggests ehrlichiosis, and fever is a symptom of Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis.
Other Symptoms
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The main symptoms of Lyme disease include swollen lymph nodes, swollen joints, painful legs, loss of appetite and depression. Dogs with ehrlichiosis show symptoms such as hemorrhaging, lethargy, loss of appetite, arthritis, weakness, nose bleeds, increased thirst and urination, and anemia. Babesiosis is identified through symptoms such as vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal swelling, septic shock and depression. Dogs with anaplasmosis often have arthritis-like symptoms, as well as vomiting, diarrhea and a high fever. Rocky Mountain spotted fever causes dogs to exhibit stiffness when walking, as well as skin lesions and fever.
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