Anaplasmosis in a dog on Vancouver Island Dr.Diane Cruickshank McKenzie Veterinary Services Victoria BC, Canada

Ginger 7yr old, F/S Yellow Labrador Retriever Lives in the Highlands, Vancouver Island

Clinical History Presented on a Sunday in February, 2015 One day history of lethargy, anorexia and a stiff gait Vomited once on previous day Possible dietary indiscretion from garbage History of ticks removed in previous weeks including 2 removed in parking lot outside of clinic No history of travel off the island

Exam Findings Fever Depressed Stiff stance with weight shifting off right hind leg No obvious pain response or joint swelling of any of limbs No abdominal pain Mildly dehydrated All other parameters were WNL

Diagnostics Abdominal Radiographs In-house Serum Chemistry Panel Spondylosis noted on several vertebrae No other abnormalities noted In-house Serum Chemistry Panel No abnormal findings

Diagnostics In-house CBC (complete blood count) Mild Panleukopenia (low white blood cells) Severe Thrombocytopenia (low platelets) 2-3/hpf Inclusion bodies (morulae) In 27% ofneutrophils

Differential Diagnosis Anaplasmosis Ehrlichiosis

4DX SNAP Test Idexx Laboratories in Vancouver ELISA test for antibodies to: A. phagocytophilum, A. platys E. canis, E. ewingii Borrellia Burgdorferi Dirofilaria Ginger was Negative for antibodies Can be -ve if acute infection within 7-21 days

PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction Test Tests for Anaplasma sp. DNA Ginger was positive for DNA to Anaplasma Species was determined to be Anaplasma phagocytophilum

A. Phagocytophilum Gram-negative bacterium c/s may include: fever, lethargy, depression, anorexia and musculoskeletal pain Vector - The western black-legged tick Ixodes pacificus Pacific Coast

Life Cycle Of Ixodes Pacifica

Treatment Doxycycline for 21 days Prednisone for 5 days Made an uneventful and full recovery

Ginger Now

Recognition Jennifer Kowalski -Head technician supreme with a special dedication to cytology Dr Malcolm Macartney - co-author and owner of McKenzie Veterinary Services CVMA – for publishing our case in the CVJ’s Practitioner’s Corner July 2015 edition Ginger’s owners – for being committed to finding the diagnosis and for informing their community