A tick-borne dog disease has been found in a Queensland dog, authorities have confirmed.

Ehrlichiosis was first recorded in Western Australia’s Kimberley region in June 2020.

If left untreated early, it can be deadly to dogs.

Later that year, the ABC reported that the disease was spreading rapidly throughout remote Indigenous communities in the Top End, and anticipated thousands of canine deaths.

The disease has now spread to north-west Queensland.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries said the infected dog had not travelled outside of Queensland, “meaning the disease has likely found its way into our local tick population”.

Dogs can become sick if they are bitten by a brown dog tick infected with the bacteria that causes the disease - Ehrlichia canis.

“With the wet season well underway, this is particularly important as ticks are likely to be abundant,” DAF said in a statement.

The brown dog tick is found across most of Australia and many dogs may be at risk of infection.

DAF urged pet owners to protect their dogs and stop the spread.

Before taking a dog to, or through, an area where the brown dog tick is found it said owners should ensure the dog was on an effective tick prevention and control program.

DAF urged people to seek advice from their veterinarians about effective tick prevention and control products for their dog.

Among other advice from DAF was to avoid taking dogs into tick-infested areas and to regularly inspect dogs for ticks.

Also, owners should monitor their dog’s health.

Symptoms include: unusual tiredness or fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss, enlarged glands (lymph nodes), cloudy or red eyes, mucky eyes and nose, pale gums, swelling on the body or limbs and bruising or bleeding under the skin.

If you suspect a dog is infected with E. canis you must report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

To find out more about canine ehrlichiosis, visit Biosecurity Queensland’s website or call the Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23.