Symptoms of Tick Fever can be vague and mild at first. The disease is typically divided into 3 distinct stages:

The Acute Phase

During the earliest stage of Tick Fever, dogs may suffer from low-grade fever, swollen lymph nodes, unexplained bruising, loss of appetite, joint pain, nasal discharge, or difficulty breathing. This stage can last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks, at which point the dog can appear to recover.

The Subclinical Phase

During this phase, the organism is still present, but it’s not causing any signs of infection. It takes up residence in the dog’s spleen, where it remains quietly dormant. The dog can remain in this phase for anywhere from several months to years, during which he appears to be back to normal and healthy. It’s at this stage that some dogs are actually able to fight off the organism and make a true recovery.

The Chronic Phase

If the dog is not able to fight off the disease, the chronic phase begins. During this time, the dog is at risk of serious complications, including:

Lameness

Anemia (not enough red blood cells, which carry oxygen)

Bleeding episodes caused by a massive decrease in platelets, the blood-clotting cells

Eye inflammation (including uveitis, retinal disease, damaged corneas, and hemorrhages inside the eye)

Swollen legs

Depression

Tender abdomen, usually due to an enlarged liver

Kidney problems

Neurological issues

Bone marrow failure

Since the bone marrow manufactures all the blood cells needed to sustain life (including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets), if the bone marrow fails, the dog will most likely die.