Infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum in a young dog: a case report

Abstract

An 11-months-old male Golden Retriever occasionally found to have Ixodes ricinus ticks attached to the skin developed the acute onset of fever, lameness and inappetence followed by rapidly progressive depression, ataxia and reluctance to move. Inclusions (morulae) were observed in granulocytes. The blood analysis revealed severe thrombocytopoenia, lymphopoenia, eosinopoenia, elevation of alkaline phosphatase and hypercholesterolaemia, mostly suggestive of an Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection. The amplification of a DNA sequence specific for Anaplasma phagocytophilum and detection of specific antibodies supported the diagnosis. Borrelia burgdorferi, another tick-borne pathogen, or specific antiborrelial IgG antibodies were not detected. The dog was treated with oral doxycycline for 14 days: clinical symptoms resolved within six days.

Keywords

• anaplasmosis
• infection
• dog