Diagnostic path for Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections in dogs CLINICAL FINDINGS Clinical history
Major clinical signs
Tick infestation?
Lethargy Pale mucous membranes
Poor ectoparasiticide compliance? Travel to endemic area?
Fever
Non-specific illness including lethargy and poor appetite
Key clinical pathological findings Hematology
Low
Normal
High
Platelets Hematocrit HCT/PCV
Splenomegaly
Monocytes
Lameness Lymph node enlargement
Biochemistry Alk Phos Albumin Globulins Bilirubin
CAUTION: Clinical signs and clinical pathological findings are non-specific, thus consider other chronic infectious / inflammatory and neoplastic diseases!
FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTS Blood smear microscopy
Serology
PCR
ELISA (cross-reaction with A. platys)
Available and confirmatory
or IFAT 4-fold increase or decrease in antibody titer within 2–3 weeks Pathogen may be found in acute phase (37 – 100 % of dogs)
CAUTION: Always consider the possibility of co-infection after the diagnosis of one vector-borne disease has been made.
THERAPEUTIC CONSIDERATIONS Doxycycline
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES Compliant year round tick control with repellant remedy