Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp.

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This page quotes a published document. Everything below in quotation marks is copied word for word from https://capcvet.org/guidelines/ehrlichia-spp-and-anaplasma-spp/, published by CAPC and retrieved on 2026-09-16. The quotations are excerpts; the document itself is linked and is the authority. Nothing has been reworded.

This page quotes the Companion Animal Parasite Council guideline for Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp., section by section: the opening sentences of 8 sections, copied without change and linked to the guideline, which was retrieved on 2026-09-16. The guideline itself is the authority and carries the full text.

The guideline

Companion Animal Parasite Council, Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp., at https://capcvet.org/guidelines/ehrlichia-spp-and-anaplasma-spp/. Retrieved 2026-09-16. Each heading below is the guideline’s own, and the quotation under it is how that section begins. The full section, and the species tabs where the guideline gives them, are on the linked page.

Synopsis

CAPC Recommends Screening dogs for exposure to the agents of ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis to identify dogs at risk of disease. Reducing risk of infection through year-round tick control and avoiding areas with ticks.

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Species

Canine Ehrlichia canis Ehrlichia ewingii Ehrlichia chaffeensis Ehrlichia muris - like agent Anaplasma phagocytophilum (= Ehrlichia equi , Ehrlichia phagocytophila , human granulocytic ehrlichiosis [HGE] agent) Anaplasma platys Feline* Ehrlichia spp . Anaplasma spp . *Although Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp . have been reported to cause disease in cats, little is known about the prevalence of infection, disease manifestations, and treatment recommendations for feline infections with these agents.

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Disease

Subclinical infections with Ehrlichia spp . and Anaplasma spp . are common among dogs. Dogs with disease caused by infection with Ehrlichia spp . or Anaplasma spp . commonly present with fever, lethargy, depression, anorexia, and weight loss.

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Prevalence

Canine infection with Ehrlichia spp . and Anaplasma spp. is common throughout the world. Infection is more common in areas where tick infestation pressure is high and when routine acaricide use is not practiced.

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Diagnosis

Classical microscopic diagnosis of Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. infection relies on identification of morulae in circulating monocytes, neutrophils, or platelets in Giemsa-stained blood smears. However, morulae are usually difficult to find in blood smears, even during the acute stage of the disease.

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Treatment

All Ehrlichia spp . and Anaplasma spp . infections in dogs and cats respond to treatment with doxycycline. A treatment regimen of 10 mg/kg for 28 days is currently recommended.

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Control and Prevention

Vaccines are not available to prevent infection of pets by Ehrlichia spp . and Anaplasma spp . pathogens. Stringent adherence to routine application of effective acaricides is critical for preventing infection and disease caused by these organisms.

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Public Health Considerations

Most of the Ehrlichia spp . and Anaplasma spp. that infect and cause disease in pets are well-established zoonotic agents that also infect and cause disease in people. Ehrlichia chaffeensis and A. phagocytophilum are primarily known as human disease agents, and infections with these organisms are responsible for human monocytic ehrlichiosis and human anaplasmosis (formerly known as human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, or HGE), respectively.

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Sources

  • capc-ehrlichia-spp-and-anaplasma-sppCAPC · retrieved 2026-09-16
    CAPC Recommends Screening dogs for exposure to the agents of ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis to identify dogs at risk of disease. Reducing risk of infection through (Synopsis)

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