Ehrlichiosis/Ricksettia

[CAPP0]

Evening all, and especially the veterinarian PHers

We are on the verge of rescuing/adopting a dog from Spain, to join our resident 18 month old GSD. The Spanish dog is a 3 year old GSD cross female.

Whilst discussing the details and practicalities, the rescue advised that the dog has been treated for Ricksettia fairly recently and has recovered well. However, the follow-up blood test, to ensure she is clear of the disease, has not yet been carried out as it's apparently usually done after 6 months.

This throws up a few questions for us, the key one being, is there any risk to our own dog from infection/contagion etc? Secondary, are we taking any other significant risks in adopting/homing a dog which has had this condition? Any advice welcomed, as we have no prior knowledge or experience of this one. We're told that the dog is vaccinated, passported and ready to travel - does that stack up against having had this disease recently? We do plan to ask our own vet about this during the week.

Thanks all.

[bexVN]

I'm really sorry I've not heard of this one before. Foreign diseases are a concern. Due to passport schemes we have seen a rise in leishmaniasis and brucellosis in this country, both diseases we are not used to the symptoms of so can be missed, would be worth checking if he has been checked for these aswell.

I'm sure someone on here will know but I will try and look it up aswell.

[bexVN]

Nasty disease esp if not caught early . From what I've just read it is spread by ticks but no mention if can be spread directly from to dog, so hopefully not.

My concern on reading is it says it may not be completely eradicated in some dogs and so symptoms can flare at a later date and it suggests the Vet should monitor with blood tests at regular intervals.

Appears dobermann's and gsd's are more susceptible breeds to the chronic and/or severe forms of the disease.

Edited by bexVN on Monday 4th January 01:37

Edited by bexVN on Monday 4th January 01:38

Edited by bexVN on Monday 4th January 01:39

[bexVN]

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/generalized_cond...

The above confirms should be no risk to your other dog (this page does not mention re: flare ups though, that was on another site that I can't seem to paste!!)

[CAPP0]

Ah thanks Bex - so uncommon here that I think I even managed to misspell the alternative name - think it might be Rickettsia.

Thanks for all the info, so I guess the longer-term prognosis is the more worrying thing. As mentioned, we'll check in with our vet this week anyway. Will keep the thread updated when I know more.

[CAPP0]

Quick update - our vet was sounding major caution alerts when I talked to them about it earlier. Apparently the condition can lie dormant and "fool" blood tests only to recur in the future. She also said that no insurance company will touch a dog with that history (wasn't clear whether that was just for this condition or overall). She even questioned whether the dog is actually valid to travel into the UK. My understanding is that as long as any dog has had tick treatment 24-48 hours before entering the country (validated by a vet) then they are allowed in, but the vet said we should check with Defra.

Looking more like it will have to be a "no" then, which is a real shame . The dog is at least in foster in Spain and therefore safer than in a dog shelter, which I gather few survive unless they are pulled out by a rescue.

[bexVN]

I don't blame your vet and the insurance companies certainly wouldn't cover anything link with this illness and being as symptoms are wide ranging that would be almost any illness.

The reoccurring issue caused alarm bells with me but it did say not all dogs, though gsd's are more likely for it to be chronic .

It appears to be quite common in USA.
at least they were honest with you about it.

Tough choice but I know I'd be thinking twice.