Anaplasmosis in Dogs: Vet Guide 2025 🧬🐾

Hello, I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, and in this 2025 guide, we’ll explore one of the most important tick-borne illnesses in dogs—anaplasmosis. This condition can silently impact your dog’s health or appear suddenly with fever, joint pain, or even bleeding issues. Timely diagnosis, treatment, and prevention are key to managing this infection safely and successfully.

🔍 What Is Anaplasmosis?

Anaplasmosis is a bacterial disease spread through tick bites. It comes in two primary forms in dogs:

• Granulocytic anaplasmosis – caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum; affects white blood cells.
• Infectious cyclic thrombocytopenia – caused by Anaplasma platys; affects platelets.

Dogs may suffer from either or both simultaneously. Both are transmitted via ticks, especially those from the Ixodes and Rhipicephalus species. Ticks typically need to be attached for over 24 hours to transmit the bacteria.

🦟 Transmission and Incubation

Once attached, ticks begin transmitting Anaplasma within several hours. However, infection usually occurs only if the tick feeds for more than 24 to 48 hours. After that, the incubation period (when the dog starts showing symptoms) is typically 1 to 2 weeks.

🌍 Geographic and Seasonal Trends

• Northeast, Upper Midwest, and Western US: Higher prevalence due to tick species in those regions.
• Spring through fall: Peak risk seasons for tick exposure and disease spread.

🐶 Who's at Risk?

• Dogs that frequent grassy or wooded areas
• Unprotected dogs during peak tick seasons
• Labrador and Golden Retrievers may show more clinical symptoms, though any breed can be infected

🩺 Symptoms of Granulocytic Anaplasmosis

Some dogs may not show any signs, but others develop symptoms within 1–2 weeks. These include:

• Fever 🤒
• Lethargy or low energy 😴
• Loss of appetite 🍽️
• Joint pain or lameness 🦴
• Occasionally vomiting, diarrhea, cough, or difficulty breathing

🩸 Symptoms of Infectious Cyclic Thrombocytopenia

• Fever 🌡️
• Gum or skin bruising, petechiae
• Nosebleeds
• Weight loss
• Low platelet count (may only be found via testing)

🧪 Diagnosis

Your vet may recommend the following tests:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC) – to check for low platelets, anemia, or white cell changes
• Blood smear – direct visualization of Anaplasma in cells
• Antibody testing (serology) – to determine exposure history
• PCR (polymerase chain reaction) – detects active infection more specifically
• X-rays & joint fluid analysis – if joint pain is present

Important: Antibodies can persist for years, so positive serology alone doesn’t always indicate active infection. Clinical signs are essential in deciding whether to treat.

💊 Treatment Plan

The most common and effective treatment is doxycycline. Treatment duration is generally 14–28 days.

• Many dogs show improvement within 24–48 hours after starting antibiotics
• Other antibiotic options include tetracycline or minocycline
• Anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed for joint pain
• Never give human painkillers without veterinary instruction!

💚 Prognosis

With timely diagnosis and proper treatment, the prognosis is excellent. Most dogs recover fully with no long-term effects. Rarely, complications like immune-mediated disease or recurring joint inflammation may occur.

🛡️ Prevention Is Key

There’s no vaccine for anaplasmosis, so tick prevention is the best defense:

• Monthly topical or oral tick preventives
• Regular tick checks after outdoor activity
• Removing ticks within 24 hours reduces transmission risk
• Keep your yard trimmed and avoid tick-heavy trails

🧩 Co-Infections to Watch For

Ticks often carry more than one pathogen. Dogs with anaplasmosis should also be tested for:

• Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi)
• Ehrlichiosis
• Babesiosis

Co-infections can complicate symptoms and delay recovery.

📱 Ask A Vet for Ongoing Help

If you suspect anaplasmosis or need help interpreting test results, download the Ask A Vet app. We’re here to:

• Review symptoms and test results
• Guide next steps and referral needs
• Support you during recovery and follow-up

✅ 2025 Tick-Borne Disease Checklist

• ✔️ Year-round tick control product
• ✔️ Routine wellness exams and blood testing
• ✔️ Monitor for fever, joint pain, lethargy
• ✔️ Remove ticks promptly using tweezers or tick tool
• ✔️ Keep a tick diary during peak seasons (spring/summer)

📌 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Anaplasmosis may seem subtle—but left untreated, it can cause real discomfort. With prevention, vigilance, and fast veterinary support, your dog can live a happy, tick-free life. I recommend combining proactive tick protection with annual screening and using Ask A Vet as your on-demand veterinary guide through tick season and beyond.

👉 Download the Ask A Vet App Today!

Expert guidance. Real-time support. Your trusted veterinary team is just one tap away at AskAVet.com. 🐾🩺

—Dr Duncan Houston BVSc