What is Anaplasma?
Anaplasma is the name of a genus of bacterial organisms. There are multiple species of Anaplasma and infection causes a disease called anaplasmosis. Dogs appear to be more commonly infected than cats.
How is Anaplasma transmitted?
Anaplasma infections are transmitted and spread by ticks. There are several species of ticks that can carry the infection. The most common type appears to be black-legged ticks.
Who in the family is at risk for Anaplasma infection?
A wide range of mammals, including humans and cats are at risk for developing this disease. People and animals that live in areas with high tick populations have a greater chance of coming into contact with the bacteria that can cause this disease. Anaplasma cannot be spread directly from dogs to people. And in most cases, dogs cannot directly infect other dogs though a few rare exceptions exist (e.g., blood transfusions). Ticks should be removed as quickly as possible when seen on your pet.
What are signs of infection?
Some infections will be subclinical, meaning there are no outward signs of illness. The first signs noticed typically include fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, depression and weight loss. Other symptoms may include bleeding disorders, vomiting and diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes, painful or difficulty walking, or ocular (eye) or neurologic signs. Signs are variable and we recommend you always contact our hospital team with any questions or concerns about symptoms your pet may exhibit.
How is Anaplasma diagnosed and treated?
Exposure to the bacteria that can cause anaplasmosis can be diagnosed in dogs with a blood screening test. A positive test does not necessarily mean your pet has an infection, so your veterinarian will discuss the next best steps if your pet does test positive. Treatment of Anaplasma infections consists of antibiotics and supportive care. In more advanced cases, hospitalization, fluid therapy and additional treatments may be needed depending on the severity of the illness. Some treatments may need to be lifelong.
What is the prognosis for anaplasmosis?
For those pets that are diagnosed early in the course of infection and receive proper treatment, the prognosis is generally good. It is important to administer the full course of treatment your veterinarian prescribes. In some cases, the disease becomes chronic (persistent) and symptoms may be ongoing and vary in severity though this is not as well described for Anaplasma infections.
What can you do to protect the entire family from Anaplasma?
Avoiding exposure to Anaplasma means avoiding ticks.
Make sure your pet is on a monthly flea/tick preventive.
For cats, only products specifically approved for flea and tick control in cats should be used to avoid the possibility of toxicity. Do not attempt to hold, feed or entice wildlife into your yard, as they are frequent carriers of ticks. If possible, keep all dogs under leash control when outside and keep cats indoors. Ticks prefer to live in areas of tall grass and brush. Avoid these areas on walks and hikes to reduce the possibility of exposure. Humans should use insect repellents and wear light-colored clothing outside so ticks are easily seen. Wear long pants, long sleeve shirts, socks and a hat in areas of potential tick activity. Walk in the center of trails to avoid overhanging grass and brush. After being outdoors, check your pets thoroughly for any ticks. Ticks can be anywhere on the skin, but be sure to check under collars, between toes and in and around ears. All members of the family should be checked thoroughly for ticks after being outdoors.
Follow these steps for removing ticks:
- If you find a tick, remove it immediately.
- It is recommended to wear disposable gloves to prevent disease transmission.
- Using tweezers, carefully pull the tick upward where its mouthparts contact the skin.
- Try not to squeeze or twist the tick while removing it.
- Occasionally, a small tag of your pet’s outer skin will pull away with the tick.
If you have any doubts about tick removal, bring your pet to the hospital for help. You may bring ticks to your hospital for identification. Alternatively, you may dispose of ticks at home (make sure to wear gloves). Ticks may be wrapped in clear adhesive tape, flushed down a toilet or dropped in a vial of rubbing alcohol.
Consult your doctor if a pustule or rash develops at the site of the bite after several days or your pet’s behavior changes. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health, contact us directly.
