Blood parasitic diseases: anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis

In spring, owners who take dogs and cats for a walk in Kyiv very often find ticks on their pets. Blood parasites live in the grass, exactly at the level where the animal is, so it becomes an ideal victim for the tick. These small arachnids are carriers of various diseases. Experts from Animal Clinic told about two of them in this article.

Anaplasmosis is an infectious thrombocytopenia

The Ixodes mite contains anaplasms in its saliva. When the pathogen enters the animal's body, the immune system begins to actively fight it, but with weak immunity, the disease progresses. The first phase of anaplasmosis lasts 3 weeks after a tick bite. Its pathogens are most often concentrated in erythrocytes. The development of the disease is evidenced by such signs as:

• Anemia.
• Enlarged lymph nodes.
• Yellow tint of mucous membranes.
• Fever.
• Complicated breathing.

The animal's immune system destroys infected cells. The pet can recover on its own, but often anaplasmosis goes into the second phase, which lasts from several months to several years. Anaplasmas are localized in the cells of the spleen, as evidenced by its increased size at diagnosis. Also, the presence of the disease is indicated by changes in blood parameters, which are detected during its analysis. The third stage is a chronic form characterized by abnormal bleeding.

Ehrlichiosis is a febrile disease

It is caused by microorganisms of the genus Erlichia that multiply in cells. This disease also occurs in 3 phases:

1. Acute - lasts up to 4 weeks. The population of harmful microorganisms in mononuclear cells, lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow is growing. The pet becomes apathetic, constantly wants to sleep and refuses to eat. Sometimes there are problems with vision, nausea, respiratory disorders, fever.
2. Subacute - is detected during a blood test.
3. Chronic - involves weakness, weight loss, swelling of the extremities, spotting.

Timely treatment of the pet with a repellent against blood parasites will help to avoid these detrimental consequences. Our veterinarian will help you choose the appropriate remedy at an individual consultation.