Copyright 1996 by the author.
1) The IFA (Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Assay) test is used to detect the presence of antibodies to the disease in a dogs blood serum. This test will determine a titer level; less than 1:40 is considered Negative (minimal exposure), a titer above 1:80 is considered Positive for an active infection. The IFA is considered the most reliable test for detecting infection.
2) The Giemsa Smear is used to locate the actual organism in the dogs blood. Despite appropriate staining technique and intensive film examination, the organisms frequently cannot be found.
Titer is an indication of exposure to a specific foreign protein. It does not indicate that there are active organisms in the blood.
The clinical signs vary greatly depending upon the stage of the disease, the age and immune status of the dog, and complications from other infections.
Subclinical - This phase can last months or years. It is characterized by a fine equilibrium between the parasite and the immune system of the host. This equilibrium can be disturbed by a number of things: environmental stress, additional diseases/infections (especially Ehrlichiosis), immunodeficiency, spleen removal, surgery, stress, hard work, imunosuppressive treatment, use of corticosteroids (Prednisone is a no-no). The dog may exhibit few clinical symptoms during this phase, beyond intermittent fever and loss of appetite. If the equilibrium is disturbed, the parasite will begin to slowly grow in number and the dog will move into the next phase. Infected Greyhounds are often in this phase when they are adopted out.
Chronic - If the dogs system remains unable to clear the parasite, it enters this final phase. The most obvious initial signs to an owner are a cycle of: lethargy, loss of interest in food, and a gradual loss of body condition especially evident around the eyes and along the spine. Other symptoms are: upper respiratory problems - coughing or labored breathing, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, ulcerative stomatitis (sores in the mouth), edema (swelling), abdominal swelling (ascites), bleeding under the skin or a rash (purpura), low White Blood Cell count (thrombocytopenia), clotting problems, joint swelling, back pain, seizures, weakness, increased liver enzyme, low Platelet count, hyper reflective eyes, enlarged lymph nodes, enlarged spleen, septic shock, depression.
Instructions for Tick Fever Panel: Draw 3cc of blood, use a serum-separation tube, spin down, refrigerate until mailing. Try to mail early in the week, ship tube upright in ice and use priority mail.
1) The IFA (Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Assay) test is used to detect the presence of antibodies to the disease in a dogs blood serum. This test will determine a titer level; less than 1:40 is considered Negative (minimal exposure), a titer above 1:80 is considered Positive for an active infection. The IFA is considered the most reliable test for detecting infection. Ehrlichia titers can climb much higher than Babesia titers.
2) The Giemsa Smear is used to locate the actual organism in the dogs blood. Despite appropriate staining technique and intensive film examination, the organisms frequently cannot be found.
Titer is an indication of exposure to a specific foreign protein. It does not indicate that there are active organisms in the blood.
Subclinical - This phase can last months or years. It is characterized by a fine equilibrium between the parasite and the immune system of the host. This equilibrium can be disturbed by a number of things: environmental stress, additional diseases/infections, (especially Babesiosis), immunodeficiency, spleen removal, surgery, stress, hard work, imunosuppressive treatment, use of corticosteroids (Prednisone is a no-no). The dog may exhibit few clinical symptoms during this phase, beyond intermittent fever and loss of appetite. If the equilibrium is disturbed, the parasite will begin to slowly grow in number and the dog will move into the next phase. Infected Greyhounds are often in this phase when they are adopted out.
Chronic - If the dogs system remains unable to clear the parasite, it enters this final phase. The most obvious initial signs to an owner are a cycle of: lethargy, loss of interest in food, and a gradual loss of body condition especially evident around the eyes and along the spine. Other symptoms are: viral tumors on the face/mouth/muzzle, hemorrhaging even when blood count looks normal, clotting problems, low or high calcium level, seizures, muscle wasting, skin infections, neurological signs (repetitive obsessive actions, or palsy), diarrhea, low Platelet count, urine too alkaline, vomiting, hyper reflective eyes, low White Blood Cell count (thrombocytopenia), anemia, glomerulonephritis, bleeding from the nose or eyes, ocular signs, arthritis, weakness, pallor, incontinence, pneumonia, cough, kidney failure, increased thirst and urination, incoordination, neck or back pain, bleeding under the skin or a rash (purpura), swelling of the legs or joints, enlarged lymph nodes, irreversible bone marrow suppression.
Instructions for Tick Fever Panel: Draw 3cc of blood, use a serum-separation tube, spin down, refrigerate until mailing. Try to mail early in the week, ship tube upright in ice and use priority mail.