Anaplasmosis in animals
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Anaplasmosis is a tick-borne bacterial infection usually carried by deer ticks and transmitted to dogs by tick bite. Clinical signs usually develop within 10-14 days after being bitten by an infected tick. However, in some cases animals may become sick months later. Typical signs include lethargy, high fever, swollen joints and a shifting lameness. Some animals may develop vomiting and/or diarrhea, as well as neurologic signs. Rarely, seizure problems may occur, as well as liver or kidney damage. Other animals may show no medical signs, and may clear the infection on their own, while some animals may show signs after immune stress.
While Anaplasmosis may be suspected based on history, medical signs and initial blood work, a special in office test known as a 4DX test at the veterinary office is the way that this disease is definitively diagnosed and differentiated from other tick born diseases like Lyme disease or Rocky mountain found fever. treatment usually involves a 4 week course of Doxycycline, with medical symptoms typically rapidly improving within a few days of therapy. Holistic veterinarians will also work on dietary changes to preferably a home-made raw meat based diet, as well as work on strengthening the immune system with herbal and homeopathic remedies.
There is no effective vaccination for avoiding Anaplasmosis, with good tick control using conventional or natural products being the cornerstone of avoiding this disease. Prognosis for a full recovery is typically excellent.