You stare at the clock as it does its regular tick-tock, but then you look at your dog and realize something is wrong. Your dog is acting weird, they’re lethargic, they don’t want to eat, they also have a fever of 105°F (40.5°C), and then you notice one thing that scares you. A tick.

Tick fever is scary for the dog owner and the dog too. It is serious and in certain cases, it can even cause the death of your dog. But first, we need to know what tick fever is in dogs.

Tick fever in dogs is a condition that is present in dogs. This fever is also known as canine Rocky Mountain spotted fever. It is caused by the Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria. This bacteria spread through the bite of:

• Infected American dog tick.

• Rocky Mountain wood tick.

• Brown dog tick.

The transmission of the bacteria takes about 10 minutes if it has recently been fed. If the tick has not been fed recently, then the transmission takes about 10 hours.

This means, as a dog owner you have 10 minutes to 10 hours to save your dog from getting infected by it.

Now that you know about what it is, the first thing you should know is why dogs get it.

Dogs get infected from ticks through contact with an infected tick. These ticks pick up the infection from other animals and then act as a delivery agent, passing this infection to other animals, like dogs.

Consider it this way: when your dog bites an animal that is infected with ticks, your dog gets it too.

Tick fever in dogs is mainly of two types:

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever: This is more serious than the other type. If it is not treated promptly, then it can even cause death.

• Ehrlichiosis: This is less serious, but the symptoms of it can make your dog very sick.

The answer is yes. But it depends on two things:

• Promptness of the treatment.

• Recovery.

If you provide prompt care to your dog, then tick fever in dog survival rates are high. As per research, only 10% of dogs who get tick fever die from the condition.

This means that 90% have a chance of survival. That’s why, if you don’t want your dog to end up in the 10%, then as soon as you find your dog showing signs of tick fever, visit your veterinarian immediately.

Spotting the tick fever at the right time can make a huge difference. Early spotting can decrease the chances of multiplying the bacteria. Early spotting also makes the chances of recovery high.

But spotting a tick is one of the hardest things to do, as it can take up to 14 days for symptoms to show. These symptoms are also vague and varied.

But how do you spot tick fever in dogs? It is through the signs and symptoms of tick fever:

Signs of tick fever in dogs

• Fever up to 105°F (40.5°C): This is one of the common signs of tick fever in dogs. When you find your dog having a fever then there is a chance of tick fever. However, fever can also happen without any underlying cause. That’s why it’s important to look for other signs too.

• Loss of appetite: When your dog is avoiding food, water, and even treats, it is a huge sign.

• Inflammation of joints: When the tick attacks and it has reached the bones of your dog, you might see an inflammation of their joints.

These were the common signs of tick fever in dogs. But there are other signs too like:

• Abdominal pain

• Coughing

• Facial or limb swelling

• Vomiting and diarrhea

These were the most common signs of tick fever. But if your dog is severely affected by ticks, they’ll start showing more symptoms like:

• Purplish-red spots in the eyelid

• Altered mental state

• Painful spinal sensitivity

• Impaired balance

Your dog isn’t acting right. They’re tired, barely eating, and their fever seems severe. This could mean they’re in the acute phase of tick fever.

This stage is where the infection does its worst damage, and it usually lasts for 2-3 weeks. During this time, keep your dog hydrated and rested. You can notice any signs like:

• Loss of appetite

• Fever

• Swollen joints

Treatment during this phase usually involves antibiotics to target the infection and anti-inflammatory drugs to manage symptoms. In severe cases, where your dog might not even have the strength to stand, hospitalization may be necessary to stabilize them.

The subclinical phase is where the infection lingers in your dog’s system. They might look fine, act fine, and even eat fine. But make no mistake, the disease is there, and your dog can still spread it to other dogs. This phase typically lasts 2-3 weeks.

The tick that caused all this trouble might still be latched onto your dog, hidden under their fur. You might not even spot it unless you’re doing regular checks.

Do one thing quick:

• Grab a fine-tooth comb

• Inspect every inch of your dog’s coat

• Remove any ticks you find.

Your dog might experience recurrent fevers, extreme weight loss, anemia, and lethargy. The chronic phase can last for months or even years, and it often comes with complications like kidney disease.

Long-term antibiotic therapy is usually the first line of defense. But in some cases, your dog might need hospitalization for supportive care, especially if they’re dealing with severe symptoms. This phase is tough on your dog and on you, but with consistent care and regular checkups, there’s hope for recovery.

The treatment of tick fever in dogs is very important. When it is not treated at the right time, it can cause death.

Don’t wait for all the symptoms to start showing. When you’re in doubt it is best to visit the vet and find out if your dog has tick fever.

When you visit the vet, they will run a few tests on your dog and, if they think that they might have tick fever they’ll prescribe some antibiotics before the results come.

Most dogs start recovering within 24 to 48 hours of consuming those antibiotics, but dogs with serious cases may not respond at all to treatment.

Additionally, your vet might even recommend a blood transfusion if your dog is not eating food along with other therapies.

They may also recommend tests like:

• Blood tests: When the blood test results show low platelet count, abnormal white blood cell count, and anemia, this directly points out tick fever.

• Urinalysis: This test is taken to find levels of calcium, electrolytes, protein levels, or any abnormal values that point towards tick fever.

As said above your vet will prescribe some medicines for dog ticks before the results come out. One of the best tick fever medicines in India is tetracycline, minocycline, and doxycycline.

It is recommended that you get them prescribed by the vet. Doing it on your own may ruin the recovery chances or make the situation even worse. That’s why, for the 10th time, we’re saying, “Visit the vet”.

Get this one thing right: there is no at-home tick fever treatment. But there are ways to prevent it from happening.

Preventing these pesky little bacteria comes down to controlling them, and their contact with your dogs.

What can help:

• Medicines that act as a preventative way of treatment help. These medicines can go on year round, and kill ticks that feed on your dog.

• Another tip you can follow is to look out for ticks in your dog yourself every time your dog is back home after being outside. Doing this regularly prevents the spread of bacteria and thereby causing any fatal damage.

• If you find ticks on your pet, don’t worry. Remove those ticks property by using a tweezer. Grab the tick from where it enters your dog’s skin and pull it straight off.

• Get a tick removal device from your vet to do the above-said procedure. Doing it with your own hands will cause you a whole lot of mess.

You might be wondering, what do you feed a dog that has tick fever? Well the answer is right here in front of you, but below:

• Protein Food: Foods that are rich in protein helps the muscle repair and create energy. When your dog is infested with ticks, it is eating away their body. They might feel lethargic. That’s why protein-rich food is your go-to medicine for them.

• Carbohydrates: Your dog needs not only protein but carbs too to fight off the ticks in style. They need carbohydrates to produce energy.

• Healthy Fats: Food that is high in fat helps with the immune response, helping your dog fight even harder against ticks.

• Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamin C, and zinc are the two most important supplements your dog must take to support their quick and overall recovery against ticks fever.

Here are some foods that they can eat that are great from a nutrition standpoint:

• Boiled chicken, fish, or turkey.

• Rice or sweet potatoes for easy digestion.

• Bone broth for hydration and nutrients.

• Vegetables like carrots or spinach (cooked and pureed).

The recovery time of dogs fighting tick fever depends on the severity of the cases. Here is the recovery time you can expect:

• Mild cases: Dogs will start recovering after 1-2 weeks of medication, diet, and proper supplementation.

• Severe Cases: In this case, dogs might need advanced medical treatment, along with the right supplements, nutrition, and care. If your dog is severely infected with ticks, they might take 3-4 weeks or even longer to become normal.

But this timeline is something you can rely upon. You need other factors as well, that make you realize that your dog is recovering.

Signs of recovery:

• Increased energy levels.

• Reduced fever and other symptoms.

While tick fever itself cannot be directly transmitted from dogs to humans, the process of removing a tick can expose you to some risks. When you’re handling ticks, especially engorged ones, you might accidentally come into contact with their blood, lymph fluids, or excretions. If you have any open cuts or touch your mouth or eyes afterward, there’s a chance you could become infected. It’s not common, but it’s not worth risking.

Tick fever isn’t contagious between dogs in the traditional sense. That means your infected dog won’t directly infect another dog just by being around them. However, if an infected tick jumps from one pet to another, it can spread the disease. This is why regular tick checks and proper removal techniques are important.

The short answer? Yes, but it’s a race against time. The sooner you catch the signs and start treatment, the higher your dog’s chances of recovery. Most dogs begin to show improvement within 24-48 hours of starting antibiotics. If you delay, the infection could escalate, making recovery harder, or even impossible.

You’re petting your dog, and everything seems fine. But then you notice they’re not their usual playful self. They’re tired, not eating, and, worst of all, they have a fever. A red flag goes up. Could it be tick fever?

Look for these symptoms:

• Fever (up to 105°F or 40.5°C)

• Loss of appetite

• Swollen joints or limping

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Facial or limb swelling

Symptoms can take up to two weeks to show, and they’re often vague. If you’ve recently spotted ticks on your dog or suspect they’ve been bitten, don’t wait. Let your vet confirm if it’s tick fever with blood tests.

Tick fever won’t just magically disappear. Left untreated, it can transition from mild symptoms to chronic, life-threatening conditions. Without antibiotics and proper care, the infection spreads and worsens, potentially leading to organ damage or death.