Clinical course of granulocytic anaplasmosis in hunting dogs

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze cases of granulocytic anaplosmosis diagnosed in 53 hunting dogs in Poland. Medical records of dogs naturally infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum were retrospectively evaluated with regard to clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities at the time of presentation, therapy and course of disease. The most common clinical signs in A. phagocytophilum-positive dogs included in the study were lethargy (100%), inappetence (94%) and fever (92.5%). Thrombocytopenia was the most common laboratory abnormality (100%), followed by a drop in haematocrit level (79.3%) and increased AST activity (75.5%). Of the 53 infected dogs, 51 (96%) recovered and two dogs (with neurological symptoms) died. Analysis of these cases indicates that A. phagocytophilum infection must be considered in differential diagnosis in dogs living in Poland, especially in hunting dogs with thrombocytopenia and Ixodes ricinus tick invasions.