Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with acute anaplasmosis showing abnormal T cell growth
By Teichner, Sean R et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2025·BluePearl Pet Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clonal T Cell Proliferation Induced by Acute Anaplasmosis in a Dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old spayed female Golden Retriever was brought to the vet due to hind leg limping, tiredness, not wanting to eat, and a fever, three weeks after having ticks removed. Tests showed low platelet counts and some abnormal T cells, raising concerns about lymphoma, a type of cancer. However, further testing revealed that the dog was actually infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a tick-borne illness. After a 30-day treatment with doxycycline, the dog's symptoms improved, and follow-up tests showed normal results. This case underscores the need to check for tick-borne diseases in dogs showing signs of T-cell issues.
People also search for: dog limping after ticks · Golden Retriever fever treatment · doxycycline for dog tick disease
Abstract
A 4-year-old spayed female Golden Retriever was examined for hindlimb lameness, lethargy, poor appetite, and pyrexia 3 weeks after the removal of numerous ticks. Complete blood count revealed moderate thrombocytopenia and mild lymphopenia. A SNAP 4Dx test was negative for Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Dirofilaria immitis. Abdominal ultrasound identified moderate mesenteric lymphadenopathy and regionally hyperechoic mesentery. Joint fluid cytology raised concern for large cell lymphoma. Flow cytometry identified 37% aberrant large CD4+ T cells, suggesting lymphoma. PCR for antigen receptor rearrangement (PARR) testing on the joint fluid confirmed clonal expansion of T cells, further supporting T-cell lymphoma. Peripheral blood PCR was positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The dog's clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities resolved after a 30-day treatment with doxycycline. After treatment, joint fluid analysis, including cytology and flow cytometry, was normal. This case highlights the importance of considering A. phagocytophilum as a differential diagnosis in dogs with a clonal expansion of CD4+ T cells, emphasizing the comprehensive diagnostic approach.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40874640/