Ticks that can parasitize dogs are sometimes parasitized in turn by pathogens such as bacteria that, if they enter the dog’s body, are able to cause various diseases. This is the case of anaplasmosis in dogs, disease that we will talk about in this article of Animal Expert. We will see what symptoms it can cause and how it is possible to treat this little known, albeit global, problem.
Read on to learn all about Anaplasma phagocytophilum in dogs and Anaplasma platys, which are the most common in these animals.
- Anaplasmosis in dogs is caused by bacteria of the genus anaplasm that infect animals through what is called vector.
- In this case a tick containing anaplasms.
- Ticks feed on blood.
- So they must adhere to the animal.
- It is in this exchange that contagion can occur.
- And for this it must last at least 18 to 24 hours.
Anaplasms are mandatory intracellular parasites, meaning they must be inside other cells, in this case blood cells, causing more or less severe symptoms.
There are two species of anaplasm that can cause anaplasmosis in dogs and are:
In addition, because ticks may be infested with other parasites, the same dog may have several of these diseases, such as borreliosis (Lyme disease) or canine babesiosis, making diagnosis difficult.
Symptoms of canine anaplasmosis are numerous, but not specific, which makes them common in several diseases, another fact that can complicate the diagnosis. In addition, some dogs remain asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms. Others remain chronic carriers. The clinical table includes:
With Anaplasma. Platelet episodes of thrombocytopenia occur, i.e. a decrease in platelet count, associated with other recoveries at intervals of 1 to 2 weeks.
We have seen that the symptoms that may appear with this disease are not at all characteristic, so the veterinarian will rely on the information we provide you on the dog’s lifestyle to arrive at the diagnosis. An environment with ticks or lack of deworming can cause a disease transmitted by these parasites. It is also possible to observe at the microscope, in blood smears, the colonies formed by anaplasms, called murulas. Other methods for diagnosing canine anaplasmosis include serology and PCR.
Canine anaplasmosis is curable. To know how to treat anaplasmosis in dogs, it is necessary to go to the veterinarian. Treatment of canine anaplasmosis is based on the use of antibiotics and medications to reduce symptoms. In addition, the control of ticks is essential by establishing an external deworming program approved by our veterinarian and adapted to the characteristics and lifestyle of the dog. You should also take extreme precautions when visiting areas with a strong presence of these parasites.
It is important to know that anaplasmosis can also affect humans, but dog transmission has never been observed.
Aims to prevent ticks from accessing animals. The following measures are included in this line:
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read articles similar to Canine Anaplasmosis – Symptoms and Treatments, we recommend that you visit our Parasitic Diseases section.