Louping-ill in dogs – signs and what to do
Book a vet visitBook a vet appointment if you think your dog has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. Louping-ill is an infection caused by Louping-ill virus that dogs can get from Ixodes ricinus ticks.
What you can do now
- Contact your vet.
- Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
- Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
- Keep fresh water available.
- Let your dog rest somewhere calm.
Don't
- Do not give any human medicine.
- Do not wait if it gets worse.
What it is and how it spreads
Louping-ill is an infection reported in Ireland and the UK.[1] Dogs can get it through Ixodes ricinus ticks.
Signs
How pets pick it up
Where in Europe it occurs
| Country | Occurrence |
|---|---|
| Ireland | Present |
| United Kingdom | Present |
What the experts say
“Muscle tremors, spasms, ataxia, fever, asthenia, weakness, paresis.”
Not sure how serious it is?
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Common questions
What signs can louping-ill cause in dogs?
It can cause muscle tremors, spasms, ataxia, fever, weakness and paresis.[1]
Where in Europe is louping-ill reported?
It is reported in Ireland and the UK.[1]
Is louping-ill an infection?
Yes. It is reported as a louping-ill infection in Ireland and the UK.[1]
Sources
How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages
Other parasites in dogs
LungwormLyme disease (Borrelia)
Skin worm (Dirofilaria repens)Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)Babesiosis (Babesia vulpes / B. microti-like)Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis)Castor bean / sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus)Cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis)
Dog Tapeworm / HydatidFox tapewormGranulocytic anaplasmosisHarvest mite