Sun, 03 May 2026 06:43:54 +0000

Breaking: The Overlooked Anaplasmosis Threat in Dogs Every Owner Should Know If you’re a dog parent, you’re constantly vigilant about your pet’s health—watching for ticks, monitoring energy levels, and staying alert to subtle behavioral changes. But there’s a tick-borne disease that’s quietly gaining attention but remains dangerously overlooked: anaplasmosis in dogs. As warmer months drive more time outdoors, understanding this often-misunderstood illness is critical to protecting your canine companion. ### What Is Anaplasmosis in Dogs?
Anaplasmosis is a bacterial infection transmitted through the bite of infected ticks, most commonly the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and the western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus). Caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the disease invades white blood cells, leading to inflammation inside the body’s cells—a condition that can escalate quickly if untreated. ### Why It’s Often Missed
Unlike more widely discussed illnesses like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis is frequently overlooked for several reasons:
- Symptoms mimic other conditions: Early signs—such as lethargy, reluctance to move, fever, and joint pain—overlap with canine arthritis, stress, or general illness.
- Delayed onset: Symptoms may appear weeks after a tick bite, making it hard to trace the cause without context.
- Underreporting: Many pet owners and even veterinarians don’t automatically suspect anaplasmosis, especially in regions where Lyme disease dominates awareness.