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Tick Borne Diseases
A group of infections transmitted by tick bites, including anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and babesiosis. Ticks must be attached 24-48 hours to transmit most infections. Prevention through tick control is the primary strategy.
Key Facts
- Ticks must feed for 24+ hours to transmit most infections
- Anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum): invades white blood cells, causes fever, lethargy, joint pain
- Two forms: granulocytic anaplasmosis and infectious cyclic thrombocytopenia
- Signs appear 1-2 weeks after tick bite
- Diagnosis: CBC, blood smear, serology, PCR testing
- Antibodies can persist for years — positive test does not always mean active infection
- Treatment: doxycycline for 2-4 weeks; most pets recover fully
- Co-infections are common (Lyme + anaplasmosis from same tick)
- No vaccine available for anaplasmosis — tick prevention is essential
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelets) can cause nosebleeds, bruising
- Can affect both dogs and cats, though rare in cats