Veterinarians are urging dog owners to take precautions against ehrlichiosis, a potentially fatal tick-borne disease spreading rapidly across Australia.
Detected in Australia in 2020, ehrlichiosis has since been reported across Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and South Australia, with increasing cases now appearing in New South Wales and Victoria.
Dr Liisa Ahlstrom, Technical Veterinarian at Elanco for Seresto, said the rapid spread of ehrlichiosis cases across Australia and the severity of the disease seen in infected dogs has been alarming.
“In some areas where access to veterinary care is limited, it’s been estimated that up to 80 per cent of dogs have died. It’s been heartbreaking witnessing the devastating impact of this disease.”
Ehrlichiosis is transmitted by the brown dog tick and can cause fever, lethargy, weight loss, bleeding disorders, and in severe cases, organ failure or death. Treatment often involves hospitalisation and extensive care, with no available vaccine. Dogs may also relapse, as the bacteria can remain hidden in the body.
“This tick season, prevention is more important than ever,” said Dr Ahlstrom. “Ticks are one of the biggest threats to dogs in Australia, yet many pet owners aren’t fully aware of the risks, or how to protect their pet.”
Most tick treatments work by killing ticks after they bite, which can take several days—too slow to prevent ehrlichiosis.
“It’s critical for dog owners to understand that to protect their pet from ehrlichiosis, they must use a tick product that repels ticks, to stop them biting and transmitting the bacteria that cause the disease,” Dr Ahlstrom said.
Elanco states that Seresto is currently the only tick product registered in Australia to reduce transmission of tick-borne diseases like ehrlichiosis in dogs.
With the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting wet and humid conditions, vets warn this year’s tick season could be especially severe. While the season typically begins on the east coast in August or September, ticks remain active year-round in northern regions.
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