\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt is primarily a disease of cattle but can affect other species, including our horses. The transmission is via the bite and blood-sucking action of the ticks, where the bacteria gains access to the victim’s body and infects the red blood cells. Once inside the red blood cells, the bacteria can grow and multiply outside the range of the immune system. The result is fever, anemia, distal limb edema, lethargy, loss of appetite and in severe cases weakness, respiratory distress and death.<\/p>\n
The most common presentation of anaplasmosis in horses is lethargy, fever (anything over 38.5 C) and distal limb edema (a.k.a. “stocking up” of the legs). The edema may affect all four legs or only the front or hind independently. Most cases are diagnosed based on the clinical signs initially and then confirmed with blood work looking for characteristic dark inclusion bodies within the red blood cells and followed up by PCR testing.<\/p>\n
Treatment for anaplasmosis can be very successful. The primary treatment involves antibiotics. The treatment schedule may require up to 30 days but improvement in the signs and symptoms will generally improve within seven days. Most horses that recover from the infection will develop immunity that generally lasts about two years following the infection.<\/p>\n
The main means of control are limiting contact with ticks, removing ticks as soon as possible and management of long grass close to paddocks or fields where the horses are kept. Control can be difficult give the ubiquitous nature of the ticks in the environment.<\/p>\n
Currently there is no vaccine for anaplasmosis, however, you can discuss vaccination against Lyme disease (another closely associated tick-borne disease) with your veterinarian and review tick management strategies for your horses.<\/p>\n