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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Differential Diagnosis
Anaplasmosis
Ehrlichiosis

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. Life Cycle Of Ixodes Pacifica

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

13. Ginger Now

14. 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