Ehrlichiosis, a deadly disease spread by the brown dog tick, has spread across the country and is now found in most states and territories.

The bacterial disease, which if left untreated can be deadly to dogs, was first identified in dogs in June 2020 in the town of Katherine, NT, and has since appeared in various other states and territories across the country.

Symptoms of the disease include:

  • fever
  • lethargy
  • enlarged lymph nodes
  • loss of appetite
  • discharge from the eyes and nose
  • weight loss
  • anaemia and bleeding disorders such as nosebleeds or bleeding under the skin that looks like small spots, patches, or bruising

Australia’s national pest and disease outbreaks site recommends owners place their dogs on a tick control program, use repellent tick collars, avoid taking dogs into tick-infested areas, and inspecting dogs daily, especially if they have been in a tick-infested area.