Monsoon Ticks and Fever in Madhya Pradesh Pets

Ticks multiply in the warm, wet weather of the monsoon, and tick fever becomes a common reason for a dog or cat in Madhya Pradesh to run a fever. Signs include fever, a poor appetite, weakness and pale gums. A blood smear, a blood count and an RT-PCR tick panel can help your vet find the cause and decide the next step.

Why do the rains bring more ticks?

Ticks and fleas breed well in warm, humid weather, in tall grass, kennels and the cracks of walls, and on bedding. After the first rains they appear on dogs that were clean in the dry months. Many dogs and some cats pick them up on walks, in gardens and from other animals.

A tick bite is not the illness. The danger is that ticks carry germs that live in the blood and infect red cells and white cells. This is what we call tick fever, and several different germs can cause it.

What signs should you watch for?

Common signs are:

• a fever that comes and goes
• poor appetite and weight loss
• tiredness and weakness
• pale or yellowish gums
• dark urine, nose bleeds or bruises on the skin
• swollen glands

These signs can also come from other illnesses, so a vet's examination matters more than guessing. If your pet is weak, collapses or has pale gums, see a vet at once. Do not wait for the next test.

How do vets look for tick fever?

Vets usually combine a few tests, because each shows something different.

1. The Blood Protozoa (Blood Parasite Smear) checks a stained drop of blood under the microscope for parasites inside the cells. It is quick, but it can miss a light infection.
2. The Complete Blood Count (CBC) counts the red cells, white cells and platelets. Tick fever often lowers the red cells and platelets, so a CBC shows how badly the blood is affected.
3. The Tick Fever Panel RT-PCR (3 Strain: B. gibsoni, B. canis & E. canis) is an RT-PCR (real-time PCR) test that looks for the genetic material of three common dog tick-fever germs. It can find infections that a smear misses.

The Tick Bone Panel groups a smear, a blood count and liver and kidney tests for a first check. The lab confirms the method, sample needs and reporting time when you book. A registered veterinarian reads the results with your pet's signs, and a single negative result does not always rule tick fever out.

How can you find ticks early?

Run your fingers over the ears, the skin between the toes, the armpits, the groin and under the tail. Ticks feel like small hard seeds. If you find one, ask your vet how to remove it safely and about tick control that suits your pet. Do not use a dog's product on a cat, because some can be harmful to cats.

Can tick fever be prevented?

Your vet can advise on tick control and on keeping the home and the garden less friendly to ticks. Regular checks after walks help too. The lab gives no advice on products or treatment.

What should you do at home while you wait for the vet?

Keep your pet in a cool, shaded place and give fresh water. Do not give human fever or pain medicines, because several of them are dangerous to dogs and cats. Do not try to treat a pet that is weak, vomiting or has pale gums yourself. Note when the fever started, what your pet has eaten and whether you have seen ticks, and bring a fresh urine or stool sample if your vet asks for one. If your pet collapses, breathes with difficulty or has bleeding, go to a vet immediately rather than waiting for any lab test.

Read next

If you are planning a trip with your pet this season, read Travelling With a Pet: Rabies Titre and Health Checks. To learn where ticks like to hide on dogs and cats, see Where Ticks Hide on Dogs and Cats: A Simple Body Check Guide.

Testing in Bhopal

Sample collection is free anywhere in Bhopal, and the lab at C-200, C Sector, Shahpura, Bhopal can send a collector to your door. Call or WhatsApp +91 88175 01118. Owners in other districts of Madhya Pradesh can send samples by courier, bus parcel or through their vet. The lab confirms the method, sample needs and reporting time when you book.