Canine Anaplasmosis

Overview/Risk

Ticks are not only disgusting little blood-sucking creatures, they are dangerous, too. Ticks are one of the primary couriers for transmitting certain infectious diseases, collectively called “vector-borne [or, tick-borne] diseases,” of which canine anaplasmosis is one. Canine anaplasmosis can be found throughout the United States, primarily in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and north-central states, as well as in California.

To see if anaplasmosis is in your area, visit the interactive map at dogsandticks.com and click on your region.

One form of this disease is spread to your dog from the black-legged tick, also referred to as the deer tick, which also transmits Lyme disease. Another form can be passed to your best friend from the brown dog tick.

If you're interested in what ticks look like and the different types of ticks lurking, visit dogsandticks.com (if you haven't gathered, we think it's a great resource for pet-owners who want to know more about tick-borne diseases).

So, how do these nasty ticks infect your dog with anaplasmosis? Ticks acquire the bacteria that cause the disease from feeding on an infected host animal, such as a rodent or a deer. Then, they pass the bacteria to your four-legged friend by biting him and ingesting his blood.

Signs
If Fido has been infected with anaplasmosis, he may exhibit some of the following signs:

• Joint pain and stiffness similar to the symptoms of arthritis
• High fever 
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Neurological signs resulting in seizures and neck pain (infrequent)

Diagnosis/Treatment
Although the two forms of anaplasmosis present with different signs, both may pose a serious threat to your dog's health and can be difficult to diagnose, based on clinical signs alone.

Upon examination, if your veterinarian suspects an infection they may recommend the following tests:

• Baseline bloodwork, including a complete blood count (CBC), chemistry tests, and urinalysis to evaluate organ function and blood-related conditions, such as anemia and clotting abnormalities.
• An antibody test to identify if your pet has been exposed to the organism that causes anaplasmosis
• Electrolyte tests to ensure your dog isn’t dehydrated or suffering from an electrolyte imbalance
• PCR testing to detect the organism in the blood in the early stages of infection

If your dog has been infected with anaplasmosis and is clinically ill, your veterinarian will most likely prescribe an antibiotic, such as doxycycline or tetracycline. The good news is that, in most cases, symptoms begin to resolve within 1–4 days! Your veterinarian may recommend repeating the CBC after your pet has been on medication for a period of time, to make sure the antibiotic treatment has been effective. In more severe cases, some dogs require other medications or hospitalization.

Prevention
Protecting your best friend from ticks is the most important step in preventing her from contracting any tick-borne disease! Because the signs of tick-borne diseases, like anaplasmosis, are so varied, it is vital that you have your pet screened routinely for these vector-borne diseases.

The good news is there are several ways to protect your pet and very effective tick-prevention products and medications available both over the counter and from your veterinarian. To learn more about these products, as well as more about how you can prevent your pet from being bitten by a tick, we recommend (again) you visit dogsandticks.com.

[Annual testing is important to protect your dog from ticks. Learn more here.]

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.