Rocky Mountain spotted fever in dogs

Infection with rickettsiae of the spotted fever group was clinically and serologically diagnosed in four dogs from two households on Long Island. In two dogs, clinical signs included high fever (to 40.5 C), abdominal pain, lethargy, depression, anorexia, and nystagmus. One of these dogs had conjunctivitis and petechial hemorrhages in the oral mucous membranes. The third dog initially had high fever, evidence of abdominal pain, anorexia, and depression. The fourth dog appeared clinically normal. Clinical signs disappeared following treatment with tetracycline given orally.