Anaplasmosis in dogs – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 2 sources

Based on: ESCCAP, SVA

Contact a vet today

Contact your vet today if you think your dog has this – it can become serious. Granulocytic anaplasmosis is an infection caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum that dogs get from Ixodes ricinus ticks; people can also be infected.

What to do now

What you can do now

  1. Contact your vet today.
  2. Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
  3. Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
  4. Keep fresh water available.
  5. Let your dog rest somewhere calm.

Don't

  • Do not give any human medicine.
  • Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is and how it spreads

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is reported Europe-wide.[1] In Sweden, infection with A. phagocytophilum is common in dogs.[2]

Signs

  • sudden lethargy
  • inappetence
  • fever
  • lameness
  • pale gums
  • small bleeds (petechiae, nosebleed)

How pets pick it up

  • Ixodes ricinus ticks

Where in Europe it occurs

CountryOccurrence
AustriaPresent
BelgiumPresent
CzechiaPresent
DenmarkPresent
FrancePresent
GermanyPresent
IrelandPresent
ItalyPresent
NetherlandsPresent
NorwayPresent
PolandPresent
PortugalPresent
SpainPresent
SwedenPresent
SwitzerlandPresent
United KingdomPresent

What the experts say

“Anaplasma phagocytophilum Europe-wide Austria1, Belgium2, Bulgaria2, Czech Republic2, Denmark3, France2, Germany1,3, Hungary1, Ireland3, Italy1,3, Latvia1, Netherlands2, Norway2, Poland1, Portugal1,2,4, Slovenia1, Spain1,3, Sweden1,3, Switzerland1,3, UK1,3”

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

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Common questions

Where in Europe does it occur?

It occurs Europe-wide.[1]

What signs can it cause in dogs?

Reported signs include sudden lethargy, inappetence, fever, lameness, pale mucous membranes and small bleeds such as petechiae or a nosebleed.[1]

Is infection common in dogs in Sweden?

Infection with A. phagocytophilum is common in dogs in Sweden.[2]

Sources

  1. ESCCAP
  2. SVA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

Other parasites in dogs

Harvest miteHeartwormInfectious cyclic thrombocytopenia (Anaplasma platys)Leishmaniosis (Leishmania infantum)Louping-illLungwormLyme disease (Borrelia)Skin worm (Dirofilaria repens)Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)Babesiosis (Babesia vulpes / B. microti-like)Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis)Castor bean / sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus)