Mediterranean diseases in dogs: overview, symptoms and protection

Babesiosis, often called canine malaria, is caused by single-celled parasites that attack and destroy red blood cells. In Germany it is mainly the ornate dog tick that transmits the pathogens, in southern Europe the brown dog tick as well. Transmission can begin just a few hours after the tick bite.

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Typical signs are high fever, weakness, pale mucous membranes and dark to bloody urine as a result of anaemia. Babesiosis can take an acute and severe course and, left untreated, lead to kidney and liver failure. If your dog shows these signs, it is an emergency, go to the animal clinic immediately. You can read how to remove ticks correctly and prevent them in the guide on Ticks in dogs.

Ehrlichiosis is transmitted by the brown dog tick and attacks the white blood cells. It is also called tick fever. The signs are often nonspecific, which makes the disease treacherous.

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In the acute phase there is often fever, poor general condition, swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite and an increased tendency to bleed, such as nosebleeds. If ehrlichiosis is left untreated, it can become chronic and damage organs. Caught early, however, the chances of recovery are good; it is usually treated with a suitable antibiotic.

Anaplasmosis is transmitted mainly by the castor bean tick, which is also widespread here. It attacks white blood cells and often shows up with fever, listlessness, joint problems and sometimes diarrhoea. It is treated with antibiotics; there is no vaccine, which is why tick protection is especially important.

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Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and affects the heart and lungs. It occurs mainly in warm regions of southern Europe. Signs are coughing, reduced performance and breathing problems under exertion. In risk areas it can be specifically prevented with a prophylaxis that you arrange with your vet practice.

Leishmaniasis plays a special role because it is transmitted not by ticks but by sandflies. It takes a chronic course, has a long incubation period and often shows up with skin changes around the eyes and ears, hair loss, long claw growth and weight loss.

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Because the topic is so extensive, we have devoted a separate guide to it. There you can read in detail about symptoms, treatment, life expectancy and protection: Leishmaniasis in dogs.

As different as the pathogens are, many signs are similar. You should prick up your ears with fever, persistent listlessness, reluctance to eat, weight loss, pale mucous membranes, nosebleeds or skin changes, especially after a stay in the south or after a tick bite.

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It is an emergency if your dog shows high fever, dark urine or a sudden severe weakness, which can point to acute babesiosis. In that case you go to the animal clinic immediately. With gradual signs, arrange an appointment promptly and mention your dog's travel history.

Mediterranean diseases are diagnosed through a blood test. This looks for antibodies, detects the pathogen directly via a PCR test or assesses a blood smear under the microscope. Because a tick can transmit several pathogens and the symptoms are similar, several diseases are often tested at once, frequently as a travel disease profile. Some tests only become reliably positive a few days after infection.

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In our data the reimbursement, depending on the disease, is between around 190 and 250 euros per case on median, with individual cases involving extensive diagnostics or inpatient treatment reaching over 2,000 euros. With Dalma's pet health insurance the treatment is covered within your tariff, provided the disease did not already exist at the start of the contract and the waiting period has been met. Reimbursement is up to four times the GOT rate, you choose 80 or 100 percent and an annual benefit limit from 1,500 euros to unlimited. Your protection applies worldwide and without any time limit.

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Important with Mediterranean diseases: if your dog contracted the disease before the start of the contract, for example on an earlier trip or before being taken in from animal welfare abroad, it counts as a pre-existing condition and is not covered. This applies above all to diseases that a dog almost only gets abroad, for example heartworm disease. So that it can be assessed whether a disease is new, in a claim Dalma requests the medical records and, if needed, earlier blood tests. Diseases that your dog only contracts during the term of the contract, on the other hand, are covered within your tariff once the waiting period has been met.

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The most effective protection is to prevent bites in the first place. Here is what matters:

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• reliable tick and mosquito protection as a collar or spot-on, recommended by the vet
• against sandflies additionally repellents and avoiding walks at dusk
• check your dog for ticks after every walk and remove them early
• before trips to the south, arrange a suitable prophylaxis and possible vaccinations with your vet practice in good time
• after the trip, watch for signs and, if in doubt, have your dog tested

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You can find everything about preparing for a trip in the guide on Travelling with a dog.

Which Mediterranean diseases are there in dogs?

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The most important ones include babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, leishmaniasis and heartworm disease. They are transmitted by ticks as well as by mosquitoes and sandflies.

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How do I protect my dog from Mediterranean diseases?

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With consistent tick and mosquito protection, avoiding walks at dusk, checking for ticks and a suitable travel prophylaxis that you arrange with your vet practice.

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What does a test for Mediterranean diseases cost?

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The test is done through a blood test and is often carried out as a profile for several diseases. In our data the reimbursement per case is usually between around 190 and 250 euros, with individual cases involving extensive diagnostics being higher.

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Are Mediterranean diseases contagious?

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From dog to dog or to humans they are normally not transmitted directly in everyday life; the respective carrier is needed. Some pathogens can, however, be transmitted through blood, for example during a transfusion.

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Does Dalma cover the costs of Mediterranean diseases?

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The treatment is covered within your tariff, provided the disease did not already exist at the start of the contract and the waiting period has been met. The protection also applies abroad, worldwide and without any time limit.

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Sources and further information

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• Dalma consumer information
• Dalma table of benefits
• ESCCAP Germany, recommendation on vector-borne diseases
• ESCCAP Germany, diseases in dogs from abroad
• Dalma DE internal claims database, dogs, cases from 50 euros upwards, analysed at incident level (leishmaniasis 74, babesiosis 57, anaplasmosis 25, ehrlichiosis 15 cases, aggregated analysis, reproducibly documented)