Karratha veterinarian warns of deadly Ehrlichiosis disease risk in Pilbara

A Karratha veterinarian has warned a disease killing “mass numbers” of dogs in northern Australia could spread in the Pilbara if prevention measures were not taken. Ehrlichiosis disease is spread by the brown dog tick and unprotected dogs become infected with the bacteria Ehrlichia canis when bitten. Karratha Vet Hospital’s Katy Davis said the impact on dogs was horrendous. “There are mass numbers of dogs dying,” she said. Ms Davis said she had seen dogs come in with temperatures above 40C and dogs that had bled out. “With a lot of tick-borne diseases, previously, it takes a good 12 to 24 hours for a bacteria to go from a tick to a dog,” she said. “Unfortunately, with this disease, there are reports that it can spread as quick as a tick being on for half an hour.” Ms Davis said she was concerned travelling dog owners were not using appropriate tick prevention. “Everybody wants to bring their dogs up and all they have to do is try and be smart about this and make sure the dogs have got appropriate tick prevention before coming up,” she said. “I do not want to see their dogs getting sick and I also do not want to see us spreading this disease faster than it needs to spread.” Ms Davis said a dual approach using oral preventatives and a tick collar was key for prevention, as well as doing regular, thorough tick inspections. “If we protect against ticks then we are essentially stopping the spread of this disease,” she said. Saving Animals From Euthanasia Karratha co-ordinator Elichia Cervellin said there had been delays in rehoming dogs while they waited for test results. “Most of SAFE dogs are flown south and now if they are positive, they cannot leave the region for many months,” she said. Ms Cervellin said owners should look out for unexplained bleeding, pale gums and lethargy, including lack of interest when eating. Ehrlichia was first confirmed in Halls Creek and Kununurra in May 2020. Cases were detected in the Pilbara one month later.