Infectious cyclic thrombocytopenia in dogs – signs

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: ESCCAP

Book a vet visit

Book a vet appointment if you think your dog has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. It is an infection called Anaplasma platys, and dogs get it through the parasite Rhipicephalus sanguineus.

What to do now

What you can do now

  1. Contact your vet.
  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

It is infectious cyclic thrombocytopenia, also called Anaplasma platys.[1] The listed vector is Rhipicephalus sanguineus. In Europe, it occurs in countries with a Mediterranean climate.[1]

Signs

  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Not wanting to eat
  • Pale gums
  • Petechiae
  • Nasal discharge

How pets pick it up

  • Rhipicephalus sanguineus
  • Countries with a Mediterranean climate

Where in Europe it occurs

CountryOccurrence
FrancePresent
ItalyPresent
PortugalPresent
SpainPresent

What the experts say

“Anaplasma platys (CCT) Fever, lethargy, anorexia, pale mucous membranes, petechiae, nasal discharge and lymphadenomegaly.”

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?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

Get it on Google Play

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What signs can dogs have?

Signs include fever, lethargy, not wanting to eat, pale gums, petechiae and nasal discharge.[1]

What parasite is linked with it?

The listed vector is Rhipicephalus sanguineus.

Where in Europe does it occur?

It occurs in countries with a Mediterranean climate.[1]

Sources

  1. ESCCAP

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

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)Cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis)Dog Tapeworm / HydatidFox tapeworm