Fever, loss of appetite, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, and neurologic abnormalities are typically associated with the clinical presentation of the animal. Redness of the eyes and a pussy discharge may be seen and nasal discharge, coughing are frequent findings. In some dogs, weight loss is very severe, considering the short duration of illness. One dog with serologically confirmed RMSF was presented for depression, and massive liver enlargement was the sole clinical finding. Bloody nasal discharge, blood in stools,and blood in the urine and areas of bruizing occur in some dogs, but may not develop unless diagnosis and treatment are delayed for 5 or more days after the onset of clinical signs.
Ocular hemorrhage are a consistent finding, even early in the course of the disease.
Scrotal swelling, hemorrhage, and testicular pain are frequently observed in male dogs. This finding correlates with the disease in man and experimental infections in rodents. Similar to ehrlichiosis, this presentation can mimic canine distemper in the young dog. The marked variation in clinical presentation allows RMSF to mimic numerous other infectious and noninfectious diseases. Decreased platelets, generally mild in degree, is the most consistent finding in blood counts.