Bovine anaplasmosis
- Disease of cattle in tropical and sub-tropical regions caused by Anaplasma marginale
- Carrier status in endemic regions with clinical disease occuring in times of stress
- High mortality rate in naive adult cattle
- Morulae localise inside red blood cells close to the cell membrane
- Transmitted via the Boophilus tick as well as flies and contaminated instruments
- Clinical signs
- Inculbation period 2-12 weeks
- Anorexia, fever, depression, reduced milk yield, weight loss
- Anaemia and icterus
- Sudden death from hypoxia can occur
- Diagnosis
- Clinical signs and haematology suggestive
- Organisms present in erythrocytes of Giemsa-stained blood smears
- Immunofluorescence of blood smears, PCR, serology
- Treatment and control
- Long-acting oxytetracycline or imidocarb early in the disease
- Supportive therapy
- Vaccination of animals being introduced into an endemic region