Lyme disease may be the best-known of the diseases spread by ticks, but it is not the only tick-borne disease that dogs can get. Anaplasmosis is another tick disease, and since it is not so widely known, it does sometimes tend to get overlooked. If you have a dog and live in an area where deer ticks and black-legged ticks are common, it's important that you know the basics about anaplasmosis in dogs. This way, you can seek proper care for your dog at an animal hospital if needed.
How do dogs get anaplasmosis?
Dogs get anaplasmosis after being bitten by a tick that is carrying the disease. The symptoms do not develop immediately, but they do usually appear within a week of the initial tick bite. It's commonly believed that a tick has to stay attached to your dog for at least an hour or two before it can spread this disease. So, if you check your dog for ticks regularly and remove them immediately, you'll be reducing the risk of transmission. Still, if you do find a deer tick or black-legged tick on your dog, you should watch them for symptoms of anaplasmosis in the days that follow. Other types of ticks cannot spread anaplasmosis.
What are the symptoms of anaplasmosis?
If you notice some or all of these symptoms after your dog is bitten by a deer tick or black-legged tick, call the animal hospital.
- Lethargy and a general lack of energy
- Loss of appetite
- Joint pain and lameness
- Fever
- Muscle aches; not wanting to be touched
How is anaplasmosis diagnosed and treated?
At the animal hospital, the vets will likely take a blood test to diagnose your dog with anaplasmosis. This test will be used to check for the presence of antibodies to the bacteria that cause the infection.
How is anaplasmosis treated?
If the vets confirm your dog has anaplasmosis, they will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. Antibiotics in the tetracycline family tend to work best. Most dogs are treated with doxycycline, although some vets prefer to use minocycline. Your dog will need to be on the antibiotics for about a month. Then, their blood will be re-tested for antibodies. If their antibody levels are still too high, then they may need an additional month of treatment.
Anaplasmosis is a serious disease and one to watch out for if your dog lives in a tick-heavy area. Contact an animal hospital like Center-Sinai Animal Hospital if you suspect your dog may have this ailment.
