Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in dogs explained
By Eberts, Matthew D et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2011·Lakeland Veterinary Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Typical and atypical manifestations of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Eighteen dogs with symptoms like fever, joint pain, and bleeding from the nose were diagnosed with an infection caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a tick-borne illness. Tests showed that many of these dogs had low blood cell counts and other abnormalities. After starting treatment with doxycycline, all the dogs quickly improved and their symptoms resolved. This highlights the importance of recognizing the signs of this infection and getting prompt treatment.
People also search for: dog fever joint pain bleeding nose treatment · Anaplasma phagocytophilum symptoms in dogs · doxycycline for dog infections
Abstract
Eighteen clinically ill dogs, naturally infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum, were examined at a veterinary practice in Baxter, Minnesota. A clinical examination, complete blood cell count, enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for A phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Ehrlichia canis antibodies and Dirofilaria immitis antigen, and a polymerase chain reaction test for A phagocytophilum DNA were obtained for all dogs. Physical examination findings included fever, arthropathy, lymphadenopathy, epistaxis, acute gastritis, cervical hyperpathia, and central nervous system dysfunction. Complete blood cell count abnormalities included thrombocytopenia, morulae in neutrophils, anemia, leukopenia, eosinopenia, lymphopenia, and monocytosis. Seroreactivity to A phagocytophilum was found in 61%, B burgdorferi antibodies in 17%, and D immitis antigen in 5% of the dogs. Fever, arthropathy, neurologic dysfunction, and epistaxis are clinical syndromes that can be associated with A phagocytophilum infection. Treatment with doxycycline resulted in rapid resolution of clinical signs in all dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22058372/