Content
- What is canine anaplasmosis?
- Anaplasma species in dogs
- Canine Anaplasmosis Symptoms
- Anaplasma platys - Symptoms
- Diagnosis of canine anaplasmosis
- Canine anaplasmosis - treatment
- Prevention of canine anaplasmosis
Ticks that can parasitize dogs are sometimes parasitized by pathogens such as bacteria, which if they enter the dog's body, are capable of causing various diseases. This is the case of anaplasmosis in dogs, a disease we'll talk about in this PeritoAnimal article. We'll see what symptoms it can cause and how it's possible to treat this little-known, although worldwide, problem.
Read on to find out all about Anaplasma phagocytophilum in dogs and the Anaplasma platys, which are the most common in these animals.
What is canine anaplasmosis?
Anaplasmosis in dogs is caused by anaplasma bacteria that infect animals through what is called a vector, in this case a tick that contains anaplasmas. Ticks feed on blood, so they need to attach themselves to the animal. It is in this exchange that contagion can occur, and for this it must last a minimum of 18-24 hours.
anaplasms are intracellular parasites obligatory, which means that they need to be inside other cells, in this case, blood cells, causing more or less intense symptoms.
Anaplasma species in dogs
There are two species of anaplasma that can cause anaplasmosis in dogs, and they are as follows:
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum, which causes what we call canine anaplasmosis or canine granulocytic anaplasmosis.
- Anaplasma platys, responsible for thrombocytic anaplasmosis or infectious cyclic thrombocytopenia.
In addition, as ticks can be infested by other parasites, it is possible that the same dog has several of these diseases, such as borreliosis (Lyme disease) or canine babesiosis, which makes the diagnosis difficult.
Canine Anaplasmosis Symptoms
The symptoms of canine anaplasmosis are many, but they are nonspecific, which means that they are common in several diseases, another fact that can complicate the diagnosis. Furthermore, some dogs remain asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms. Others remain chronic carriers. The clinical picture includes:
- Fever;
- Lethargy;
- Depression;
- Anorexia;
- Limp;
- Joint pain;
- Polyarthritis;
- Vomiting;
- Diarrhea;
- Lack of coordination;0
- Seizures;
- Increased size of lymph nodes;
- Anemia;
- Decrease in the number of platelets;
- Increased liver enzymes;
- Mucosal pallor;
- Small hemorrhages under the skin, called petechiae;
- Cough;
- Uveitis;
- Edemas;
- Increased water intake.
Anaplasma platys - Symptoms
With Anaplasma. platys there are episodes of thrombocytopenia, ie, decreased number of platelets, combined with other recovery at 1-2 week intervals.
Diagnosis of canine anaplasmosis
We've seen that the symptoms that can appear with this disease are uncharacteristic, so the veterinarian will rely on the information we provide about the dog's lifestyle habits to make a diagnosis. An environment with the presence of ticks or an absence of deworming can lead to a disease transmitted by these parasites. It is also possible observe microscopically, in blood smears, the colonies formed by anaplasmas, called morula. Other diagnostic methods for canine anaplasmosis are serology and PCR.
Canine anaplasmosis - treatment
Canine anaplasmosis is curable. To find out how to cure anaplasmosis in dogs, it is necessary to go to the vet. The treatment of canine anaplasmosis is based on the use of antibiotics and medications to reduce symptoms. In addition, it is essential to tick control through the establishment of a deworming calendar external approved by our veterinarian and suitable to the dog's characteristics and way of life. You must also exercise extreme precautions when visiting areas with a strong presence of these parasites.
It is important to know that anaplasmosis also can affect human beings, but transmission from dogs was never observed.
Prevention of canine anaplasmosis
It is based on preventing ticks from having access to animals. In this line, the following are included measures:
- Control of ticks with antiparasitic products, preferably water resistant.
- Avoid places with a high presence of ticks, such as wooded areas, especially at times of the year with a higher incidence of these parasites.
- inspect the dogs after the tours. As we have already seen, to transmit anaplasmas, ticks need to spend many hours fixed to the dog, so their early elimination will avoid contagion.
- If necessary, also implement environmental disinfection measures.
See too: Diseases that ticks can transmit
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.