Anaplasmosis in Dogs: A Lesser-Known but Serious Tick-Borne Disease

You may have heard of Lyme disease, but there’s another tick-borne illness we see frequently in the Fargo-Moorhead area: Anaplasmosis. Caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, this disease is carried by the same black-legged ticks that transmit Lyme—meaning your dog can be at risk for both.

As your local veterinarian Fargo ND, we want you to be aware of the signs of this disease and how to protect your pet.

What Are the Signs of Anaplasmosis?

Anaplasmosis often looks a lot like Lyme disease and can be just as uncomfortable for your dog. Symptoms may include:

• Sudden-onset lameness (often shifting from leg to leg)

• High fever

• Lethargy

• Decreased appetite

• Stiffness or joint pain

• Vomiting or diarrhea in some cases

Symptoms usually show up 1–2 weeks after a tick bite, but just like Lyme, not all infected dogs will show signs—some may carry the disease silently.

Diagnosis and Treatment

A quick blood test at our vet clinic in Fargo ND can help diagnose Anaplasmosis. If your dog tests positive and has symptoms, we typically prescribe a 2–4 week course of antibiotics—most commonly doxycycline. Thankfully, most dogs respond well to treatment, especially when caught early.

Prevention Is Your Best Defense

Because the same ticks transmit both Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis, the preventative measures are identical:

• Keep your dog on year-round flea and tick prevention

• Check your dog daily for ticks, especially after time outdoors

• Ask your veterinarian whether the Lyme vaccine is right for your dog

While there’s no vaccine for Anaplasmosis, tick prevention is extremely effective in reducing your dog’s risk of infection.

At Two Rivers Vet Hospital, we believe education is one of the best tools in keeping your pets healthy. If you’re concerned about tick-borne illnesses or want help choosing the right preventatives, we’re here for you—because keeping dogs and cats healthy in Fargo is what we do best.

Let us know if you’d like to schedule a tick prevention consultation today!