What One Vet Missed Nearly Ended This Shih Tzu’s Life — Until Her Mom’s Instinct Saved the Day!
Sometimes, a second opinion can be a lifesaver for our furry friends. When Sophie, a senior Shih Tzu, became sick and lethargic, her vet initially suspected a simple stomach ache. But after three days with no improvement, a visit to a larger veterinary hospital uncovered the real issue: Ehrlichiosis, a tick-borne illness. (Watch TikTok below!)
Sophie’s Symptoms
The 13-year-old Shih Tzu, Sophie, was weak, lethargic, wheezing, and had no appetite. The dog mom shared in a TikTok video that Sophie’s health had suddenly deteriorated within just a few days. After the first vet visit, her condition worsened further, as the vet had misdiagnosed her with a tummy ache and prescribed medication that didn’t help her at all.
@ninspilao Please get well soon anak 🥺… #ehrlichiapositive #seniordogsoftiktok #shihtzu #fyp #getwellsoon #prayersneeded ♬ Somewhere Only We Know – Gustixa & Rhianne
As a result, Sophie’s mom decided to take her to a different veterinary hospital. There, the vet checked her weight and temperature and ran bloodwork, revealing a low platelet count. This prompted the vet to recommend a Snap test, which came back positive for Ehrlichiosis or Ehrlichia.
A Long Road To Recovery
After Sophie’s Ehrlichia diagnosis, the little dog was prescribed several medications, including Doxycycline Hyclate and Haemomaxx syrup. Sophie’s mom shared that it would be a “long and tedious treatment” and admitted she is especially worried about losing Sophie, having already lost her Beagle, Bagel, just four months ago.
With over 146K views, hundreds of TikTok users have prayed for Sophie’s recovery in the comments section. Meanwhile, Pet Rescue Advocate Rocky Kanaka, says, “Sophie’s journey is a reminder of how vital it is to trust our instincts and seek a second opinion when our pets aren’t feeling well. With the right care and determination, even the toughest battles can be overcome.”
What is Ehrlichiosis or Ehrlichia in Dogs?
It’s natural to worry about Sophie’s condition and wonder if your canine companion could contract Ehrlichiosis. Here’s what veterinarians have to say about the disease.
Dr. Veronica Higgs explains, “Ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne (transmitted by tick bites) disease caused by infectious bacteria from the Ehrlichia genus.”
Species of ehrlichia are numerous, but Ehrlichia canis and Ehrlichia ewingii are the two most prevalent species causing ehrlichiosis in dogs in the United States.
Veterinarians at VCA Animal Hospitals describe Ehrlichia for dogs as, “a disease that develops in dogs after being bitten by an infected tick. In the United States, Ehrlichia canis is considered endemic in the southeastern and southwestern states, though the brown dog tick is found all throughout the United States and Canada.”
A pet parent, u/GoodLuckBart, shares their experience with the disease on Reddit, saying, “Our dog had this [ehrlichia] years ago, maybe 12 or so years ago. It’s been so long I can’t remember the exact treatment, but she went on to live a long life and died of old age at 15 years!”
Ehrlichia Symptoms in Dogs
The canine Ehrlichia symptoms can be divided into three phases: acute, subclinical, and chronic.
Acute Stage (Early Disease)
In the acute stage of the disease, dogs may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Respiratory distress
- Weight loss
- Bleeding disorders (spontaneous hemorrhage or bleeding)
- Neurological disturbances (unsteadiness or meningitis)
This stage typically lasts 2-4 weeks, and some dogs may eliminate the infection or progress to the subclinical phase.
Sub-Clinical Stage (No Outward Signs)
The sub-clinical stage is characterized by the absence of visible symptoms, making it challenging to detect. During this phase, the organism is present but not causing apparent disease. Dogs may exhibit laboratory changes, such as prolonged bleeding from puncture sites, and can either clear the infection or progress to clinical ehrlichiosis.
Chronic Stage (Clinical Ehrlichiosis)
If the immune system fails to eliminate the organism, dogs may develop clinical ehrlichiosis, characterized by:
- Anemia
- Bleeding episodes
- Lameness
- Eye problems (hemorrhage or blindness)
- Neurological problems
- Swollen limbs
- Bone marrow failure leads to an inability to manufacture blood cells necessary for life.
Diagnosis of Ehrlichia in Dogs
To diagnose ehrlichiosis in dogs, veterinarians start by obtaining a detailed history of travel and recent tick exposure. A thorough physical examination is also conducted to check for symptoms including fever, joint swelling, and enlarged lymph nodes.
“A complete blood count, serum blood chemistry, and urinalysis will all likely be recommended for a baseline evaluation,” states Dr. Higgs. If ehrlichiosis is suspected, additional specialized laboratory testing may be ordered.
Veterinarians often use a Snap 4Dx test to check for heartworms, Lyme disease, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia. This test detects antibodies for E. canis or E. ewingii. However, a positive result in a healthy pet with no clinical signs can be confusing and may require additional testing to confirm the diagnosis.
If a dog tests positive for ehrlichiosis, the veterinarian may choose one of three options based on the presence or absence of symptoms. These options include monitoring the dog without additional therapy, treating for ehrlichiosis, or recommending additional testing, such as a PCR test.
Treatment of Ehrlichiosis in Dogs
Ehrlichiosis is typically treated with a 28- to 30-day course of antibiotics, with Doxycycline being the most commonly prescribed medication. As shared on Reddit, u/GrumpyOldDog, writes, “My dog tested positive for this a few months ago. He had no symptoms whatsoever. Vet found it at his annual heartworm screening. He did the 3 weeks of Doxy as a precaution though.”
Outpatient Care
Most dogs in the acute or subclinical phases can be managed as outpatients at home with minimal supportive care, which may include pain medications and appetite stimulants. These dogs usually do not require hospitalization.
Hospitalization for Chronic Cases
Dogs with chronic ehrlichiosis, however, may require hospitalization for aggressive supportive care. This may include blood transfusions, steroids, IV fluids, and nutritional support.
Customized Treatment Plans
It’s not uncommon for dogs with ehrlichiosis to also be infected with other tick-borne diseases, which can complicate diagnosis and treatment. Your veterinarian will work with you to customize a treatment plan that meets your dog’s specific needs.
According to Burlington Veterinary Center, the overall prognosis for dogs with acute ehrlichiosis is excellent, with most showing significant improvement within 24-48 hours of starting treatment. In fact, studies have reported a 95% ehrlichiosis in dogs survival rate. Some dogs may even recover spontaneously without treatment. However, dogs with chronic ehrlichiosis have a poorer prognosis.
