Dog Tick Diseases to Watch For: Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis

When it comes to tick-borne diseases in dogs, Lyme disease  tends to dominate the conversation. But other common tick-borne diseases, like ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis, can pose serious health risks to your dog and you. And with cases of ehrlichiosis in dogs and anaplasmosis in dogs on the rise in the United States, it’s increasingly important to be aware of signs, symptoms and treatments for both.

Ehrlichiosis in Dogs

Ehrlichiosis is an infectious disease transmitted by ticks carrying bacteria in the Ehrlichia genus. One of the most common Ehrlichia bacteria in the United States (Ehrlichia canis), is carried by the brown dog tick. While Ehrlichia canis is considered endemic in the southeastern and southwestern states, the brown dog tick can be found throughout the United States and Canada. The bacteria infects white blood cells and impacts blood platelets. The disease appears to be particularly severe in Doberman pinschers, German shepherds, Belgium Malinois and Siberian huskies.

Symptoms of Ehrlichiosis in Dogs

Symptoms of Ehrlichiosis in dogs present in three phases: acute, subclinical and chronic.

Acute Phase

Subclinical Phase

If not treated or eliminated by the dog’s immune system, the illness will pass into the subclinical phase. This phase is considered the most dangerous phase as the disease does not present any symptoms, making it undetectable and able to progress without treatment.

Chronic Phase

If the infection remains untreated, it will enter the chronic phase. In this phase symptoms will become more intense and more difficult to treat. These symptoms include:

How Is Ehrlichiosis in Dogs Diagnosed?

Your veterinarian will diagnose ehrlichiosis by considering tick exposure and running a series of diagnostic tests, including testing for antibodies in the blood. Diagnosis can be difficult early in the infection and can be furthered complicated by infection of other tick-borne illnesses.

A great way to help curb tick-borne illnesses is by reducing your dog’s exposure to these pests. Preventive care can act as a barrier against ticks, and therefore any diseases they may carry in their bite. Luckily, treatment options are available if your dog is diagnosed.

Treating Ehrlichiosis in Dogs

Antibiotics like doxycycline are quite effective in treating ehrlichiosis, especially when it is diagnosed in the acute phase. A long treatment course of about a month is required. Depending on your dog’s symptoms, other treatments, including steroids, may be needed.

Anaplasmosis in Dogs

Like ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease that infects a dog’s bloodstream. The most common form of the disease, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, infects white blood cells and is transmitted by deer ticks. A less common form, Anaplasma platys, affects blood-clotting platelets and is transmitted by the brown dog tick.

Symptoms of Anaplasmosis in Dogs

Dogs suffering from anaplasmosis may display a range of nonspecific symptoms beginning up to a week after infection. Anaplasmosis symptoms may include:

Diagnosing Anaplasmosis in Dogs

Because its symptoms are similar to Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, it can be difficult to diagnose anaplasmosis. Blood tests like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests can pinpoint specific antibodies to get to a diagnosis.

Like ehrlichiosis, preventive care is crucial in protecting your dog from anaplasmosis. Luckily, if you or your vet do notice symptoms, treatment is available.

Treating Anaplasmosis in Dogs

A 30-day course of doxycycline, the same antibiotic used to treat other tick-borne infections, will likely be prescribed for dogs diagnosed with anaplasmosis, and symptoms may show signs of improvement within 24 to 48 hours.

Can My Dog Give Me Anaplasmosis?

While it is technically a zoonotic pathogen, meaning it can spread from animal to animal and animal to human, it is highly unlikely you will contract anaplasmosis directly from your dog. However, a dog exposed to ticks could bring one carrying the bacteria into the home, where they could bite and infect you.

Preventing Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis in Dogs

Year-round tick-prevention treatments like Credelio^® (lotilaner) are the best way to protect your dog from ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and other tick-borne illnesses. But because no tick prevention method is 100% effective, it’s important to physically check for ticks after being in areas where ticks are known to live.

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