[Dailydrool] Anaplasmosis

[Laura Tancredi]

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a bacteria transmitted by deer ticks when they are feeding on dog hosts.  It infects white cells and most commonly causes malaise, lethargy, and inappetance, similar to Lyme disease.  As far as older dogs, any disease in older dogs becomes more of a concern due to greater stress that might already be on their immune system (i.e., periodontal disease) or a decrease in their immune system function due to old age.  If he isn't showing signs of the disease that’s good.  It may be that he already had the disease and cleared it.  A round of antibiotics is a good idea anyway though since it is a relatively simple bacterium to treat if he is infected and just not showing signs, and due to his age.  
As for Lyme disease (cause by Borrelia burgdorferi) again it is a bacteria transmitted to the dog host when feeding for a period of 24 hours or more.  The vaccine is good in conjunction with Frontline or other quality tick preventative but the vaccine alone is only 70% effective.   Also the test can show a slight positive in animals that are already vaccinated and tested with the 4Dx test.  The test tests for antigens and will show a positive due to antigens from the vaccine.  BUT it is generally worth treating with antibiotics due to the possibility of the bacteria infecting the kidneys and causing kidney failure.  Other tests are available to determine if the positive is from vaccine or from infection but they are more expensive than the antibiotics therefore frequently clients often choose the antibiotics.  
Unfortunately moving from CT to NC you went from the pan into the fire.  Both states are hot beds for ticks.  Frequent application of Frontline and tick checks would help decrease the chance of tick borne diseases but deer ticks can be very small and easily missed.  I have found that in areas when tick populations are heavy that Frontline should be applied every 3 weeks instead of every 4 weeks and a Preventic collar can also help.  If you have young children don't use the tick collar though.  
Good Luck with their treatments and hope everyone is well 
PS Anaplasmosis is the infection with Anaplasma the bacterium