Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a potentially fatal rickettsial disease of dogs and humans caused by the intracellular bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. The pathogen has been reported throughout the USA, Central and South America, and is transmitted by ticks of the Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma genera, respectively. Other spotted fever group rickettsiae are also known for causing diseases of animals and humans around the world.

R. conorii, the agent of Boutonneuse or Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) in humans in Southern Europe, the Middle East and Southern Africa, is reported to infect dogs, but clinical signs of disease have not been reported. Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the Brown Dog tick, is thought to represent the main tick vector.

• Pathogen
• Distribution
• Pathogenesis and transmission
• Diagnosis
• Clinical signs
• Treatment