Canine Anaplasmosis
Canine anaplasmosis is a disease caused by the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The bacteria can be transmitted to your dog when he is bitted by a deer tick. Since deer ticks commonly carry other diseases, it is common for dogs with anaplasmosis to have numerous infections. One of the most common is canine Lyme disease.
Symptoms
Dogs with this disease generally show symptoms within two weeks of being bitten. However, some dogs won’t show any signs for months. Since the bacteria invades white blood cells, it can cause a range of problems. Some of the most common symptoms include lethargy, fever, and loss of appetite. Your dog may also suffer from swollen joints that will be painful.
Canine anaplasmosis may also cause bleeding problems. Your dog may have blood in his urine or suffer from periodic nosebleeds. The disease may also cause diarrhea, vomiting, and problems with your dog’s kidneys and liver. Some canines also develop neurological signs.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing this condition can sometimes be difficult. Initially, a blood sample will be analyzed for the presence of the bacteria. A urinalysis is also useful since the disease can cause kidney damage. The veterinarian may also choose to do a complete blood count. This will check for abnormal amounts of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
Treatment
Once a definitive diagnosis of canine anaplasmosis has been made, your dog will be treated with antibiotics. He will have to take these antibiotics one or two times a day for up to a month. Sometimes, treatment lasts longer than a month to ensure that all bacteria have been killed off. If your dog has too few red blood cells circulating in his blood, he may require a blood transfusion. If there is kidney or liver damage, it will also need to be treated.
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