Anaplasmosis in Dogs and Cats: Vet Guide 2025 🧬🐾

Hi, I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc. In this 2025 veterinary guide, we’re focusing on a tick-borne disease that’s gaining attention: anaplasmosis. Although dogs are most commonly affected, it can occasionally impact cats too. Caused by a unique bacterium known as a rickettsial agent, this disease is preventable with proper tick control and treatable with timely veterinary care.

🦠 What Is Anaplasmosis?

Anaplasmosis is caused by a bacteria called Anaplasma phagocytophilum, transmitted via tick bites. These bacteria infect and live inside white blood cells, disrupting immune function and causing inflammation throughout the body.

🕒 Tick Transmission Timeline

• Ticks must remain attached to a pet for more than 24 hours to transmit the disease.
• After infection, symptoms often appear within 1 to 2 weeks.

📍 Where It’s Found

Anaplasmosis has been documented around the world. It's especially prevalent in areas with high tick populations and is often seasonal, peaking in warmer months.

🐶🐱 Which Pets Are Affected?

• Dogs are most commonly infected and show clinical symptoms.
• Cats are rarely affected, but cases have been reported—especially in outdoor or feral populations.

⚠️ Clinical Signs of Anaplasmosis

The infection causes systemic inflammation. Common symptoms include:

• Fever 🌡️
• Poor appetite 🍽️
• Lethargy 😴
• Stiffness, limping, or painful joints 🦴
• Nosebleeds or bruising (indicating bleeding disorders)
• Dark, tarry stool (melena)

Some pets may show no symptoms at all, while others may only appear sick for a short time before improving. This variability depends on the pet’s immune system.

🔬 How Is It Diagnosed?

Diagnosis usually involves a combination of:

• Physical exam: Not always conclusive, but helps guide testing
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): May reveal anemia or low platelets (thrombocytopenia)
• Blood smear: May show Anaplasma organisms inside white blood cells
• Serology: Antibody tests help detect prior exposure
• PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction): Confirms current infection with high accuracy

Note: A positive test doesn’t always mean a pet needs treatment—antibodies can remain long after the infection resolves.

💊 Treatment: Doxycycline & More

Treatment typically includes:

• Doxycycline: The first-line antibiotic; given for 2 to 4 weeks depending on symptoms and co-infections
• Supportive care: Pain medication, anti-inflammatories
• Blood transfusions: In severe cases of anemia or low platelets

Most pets start to feel better within a few days of starting antibiotics. A full recovery is expected in the majority of cases.

🛡️ Prevention: Tick Control Is Crucial

There is currently no vaccine for anaplasmosis, so prevention focuses entirely on tick avoidance:

• Use monthly tick preventives year-round
• Check your pet daily during tick season
• Avoid tick-prone environments (tall grass, dense brush)
• Keep yards trimmed and free from rodent hosts

🔁 What About Co-Infections?

Ticks may carry other dangerous organisms like:

• Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi)
• Ehrlichiosis
• Babesiosis

Dogs diagnosed with anaplasmosis should be screened for these co-infections, as they can complicate treatment and recovery.

🔄 Recovery Monitoring & Follow-Up

• Complete any prescribed antibiotic course
• Re-check bloodwork if initial test showed low platelets
• Monitor for new signs of fatigue, joint pain, or bleeding

📱 Ask A Vet: Expert Help from Anywhere

Use the Ask A Vet app to:

• Review tick-bite symptoms
• Interpret test results
• Monitor recovery progress
• Prevent future infections with custom tick prevention plans

Download today from AskAVet.com.

📋 2025 Tick-Borne Illness Checklist

• ✔️ Tick prevention active year-round
• ✔️ Pet examined after every hike or outdoor activity
• ✔️ Symptoms logged (fever, lameness, appetite loss)
• ✔️ Ask A Vet contact added to phone

🎯 Final Takeaway from Dr Duncan Houston

Though uncommon in cats and sometimes subtle in dogs, anaplasmosis can escalate quickly without intervention. Diligent tick prevention, prompt attention to symptoms, and working closely with your veterinarian—or Ask A Vet—can make all the difference.

👉 Download Ask A Vet for Quick Answers!

From suspected tick bites to treatment follow-ups, Ask A Vet helps you stay informed and supported. Visit AskAVet.com to get started. 🐾🩺

—Dr Duncan Houston BVSc