The dog originally came from the Northern Territory, where the disease is established.
Victoria's Chief Veterinary Officer Graeme Cooke has urged all Victorian dog owners and veterinarians to be on the lookout for this new dog disease that is spread by brown dog ticks.
Common signs of ehrlichiosis could include: fever, lethargy, eye changes such as conjunctivitis, cloudy or red eyes, abnormal bleeding and swellings, small spots or bruising, and swellings on the body and limbs.
“When detected early, antibiotics may be used to treat the disease,” Dr Cooke said.
“Prevention is crucial as there is no vaccine for the disease. Protect your dogs from ehrlichiosis by regularly checking them for ticks, using effective tick control and seeking veterinary advice promptly if they become unwell.”
“You should regularly check your dog for ticks by running your fingers through their coat, on the skin, paying attention to the head, neck, ears, chest, between their toes and around their mouth and gums.”
“Be particularly vigilant if you're taking your dog out bush and travelling interstate.”
Ehrlichiosis is a notifiable disease in Victoria: any cases - or suspected cases - must be reported to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.
“If your dog is unwell or you find any abnormal bumps or ticks, make sure you promptly arrange to take your dog to your vet. Discuss with your vet the testing system in place for ehrlichiosis in Victoria,” Dr Cooke said.
“Put a tick in a clean resealable bag and take it to your local veterinarian to submit for identification. Freeze the bag with the tick first if you cannot take it to a vet immediately. If you are unsure about what is an appropriate tick control product to use, then consult your veterinary advisor.”
The Victorian Department of Agriculture has also advised that on the rare occasions humans can become infected through the bit of an infected tick: "Please seek medical advice if you become unwell after being exposed to ticks.”
Echuca Vet Mark Wheatley has advised pet owners not to travel to well-known tick areas.
“Travel to areas that are known tick areas is not recommended,” Dr Wheatley said. "But daily checking of dogs in tick areas is important.”
Dr Wheatley has also advised locals to double check their flea and tick prevention products to ensure their dogs are covered for brown dog ticks, the parasite that transmits the disease.
“On one of the fairly new spot treatments that is available, paralysis ticks are controlled for six months, but it will only cover brown dog ticks for 12 weeks.”
“It's also important to consider, if you're purchasing a dog, to purchase them from low-risk areas like the state of Victoria.”
“Any dog that is showing any symptoms (of e-canis) needs to be diagnosed by a vet. Don't diagnose it yourself.”
For more information on ehrlichiosis, visit the Agriculture Victoria website or call the Customer Contact Centre on 136 186.
