Spotting Tick Fever Early
5 cards · about a minute
It starts vague
Tick fever rarely announces itself: a dog goes quiet, eats less and seems tired, and for the first week that is the whole of it.
The fever comes and goes
A temperature that rises and falls across days is characteristic, which is also why it gets missed, a dog’s normal sits between 38 and 39 degrees Celsius.
Look for bruising
Pinpoint red spots on the belly or gums, a nosebleed, or bruises with no injury behind them mean platelets are falling, and that is a same-day visit.
Do not wait it out
Tick fever is treatable and far more treatable early; a blood count is inexpensive and settles the question in an afternoon.
Prevention is a routine
Monthly tick prevention, and your hands through the coat after every walk, ears, between the toes, under the collar, where they actually hide.