Tick Fever in Dogs & Tick Panel Tests

By Pashupatinath Vet Lab • Shahpura, Bhopal

Tick fever is one of the most common and serious infectious diseases seen in dogs in Bhopal and across Madhya Pradesh. Even a small tick bite can inject organisms into the blood that damage blood cells and vital organs.

The good news: with early recognition and the right tick panel tests, your veterinarian can diagnose and treat tick fever effectively.

What is tick fever in dogs?

“Tick fever” is a general term for diseases caused by blood parasites transmitted by ticks. Common organisms include:

• Ehrlichia spp.
• Babesia spp.
• Anaplasma spp.
• And other less common tick-borne pathogens

These organisms live inside blood cells and the immune system. They can cause severe anemia, low platelets, bleeding tendencies and damage to organs like the liver, spleen and kidneys.

Common signs of tick fever

Early signs may be mild and easy to miss. As the disease progresses, you may notice:

• Fever and reduced appetite
• Weakness, lethargy and weight loss
• Pale or yellow (icteric) gums
• Bleeding from nose or mouth, or red spots on the skin
• Swollen lymph nodes or spleen
• Lameness or joint pain
• In advanced cases, breathing difficulty or neurological signs

Sometimes you may see ticks on your dog, but ticks can also fall off after feeding, so absence of visible ticks does not rule out tick fever.

Why is tick fever dangerous?

Tick-borne organisms attack blood cells and immune cells. Without treatment, they can lead to:

• Severe anemia (low red blood cells)
• Thrombocytopenia (low platelets) and spontaneous bleeding
• Chronic infection with weight loss and weakness
• Organ damage to liver, spleen and kidneys
• In some cases, life-threatening crises

Early and accurate diagnosis is the key to successful treatment.

What is a tick panel test?

A tick panel is a group of blood tests used together to detect tick-borne infections in dogs. It usually includes:

• CBC (Complete Blood Count): Checks for anemia, low platelets and signs of infection.
• Blood smear examination: A trained pathologist looks at blood cells under a microscope to see if parasites like Babesia are attached to red blood cells.
• ELISA tests: Rapid or lab-based tests that detect antibodies or antigens of organisms like Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and others.
• PCR tests: Highly sensitive tests that detect the organism’s DNA, useful in early or chronic infections.

Your vet may not need all tests in every case, but using a panel gives a clearer picture of which organism is present and how severe the disease is.

Step 1: CBC – the basic screening test

A CBC is often the first clue for tick fever. It can show:

• Anemia: low red blood cell count or low hemoglobin
• Thrombocytopenia: low platelet count, increasing bleeding risk
• Changes in white blood cells suggesting infection or immune response

In Bhopal and other tick-prone regions of MP, vets commonly advise a CBC in any dog with fever, weakness or unexplained bleeding.

Step 2: Blood smear – seeing parasites directly

In a blood smear, a thin layer of blood is spread on a slide, stained and examined under a microscope. In some cases, parasites like Babesia can be seen attached to red blood cells.

However, parasites are not always visible, especially in early or chronic infections. That’s where ELISA and PCR become important.

Step 3: ELISA tick panel tests

ELISA tests help detect antibodies or antigens of tick-borne organisms. They are useful to:

• Confirm exposure to organisms like Ehrlichia and Anaplasma
• Support the diagnosis along with clinical signs and CBC findings
• Screen high-risk dogs in tick-infested areas

ELISA tests are often faster and more accessible, offering practical information in many clinical situations.

Step 4: PCR tick panel – advanced confirmation

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests detect the DNA of the organism in the blood. They are very sensitive and can:

• Confirm infection when smear is negative and ELISA is unclear
• Help identify which specific organism is present
• Be useful in early infections or after partial treatment

Because PCR is highly specific, many vets now use it in more complicated or doubtful cases.

How is tick fever treated?

Treatment is guided by your veterinarian and may include:

• Specific antibiotics for tick-borne organisms
• Supportive care: fluids, liver and stomach protectants, pain relief if needed
• Blood transfusion in very severe anemia
• Longer courses of medication in chronic infections

Lab tests are repeated as needed to monitor recovery of red cells, platelets and organ values.

Prevention: protecting your dog from ticks

No test can replace good tick control. Important steps include:

• Using vet-approved tick prevention products regularly
• Checking your dog’s coat, ears and between toes for ticks
• Keeping bedding and surroundings clean
• Seeking veterinary help quickly if you see heavy ticks or early signs of illness

Tick fever in Bhopal & Madhya Pradesh

Due to climate and environment, tick fever is very common in many parts of Bhopal and MP. Early suspicion and testing are critical.

At Pashupatinath Vet Lab in Shahpura, Bhopal we support veterinarians by:

• Performing CBC and blood smear examinations
• Offering ELISA and PCR tick panel tests
• Sharing digital reports quickly so treatment can start without delay

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