Journal of Veterinary Parasitology

Clinico-haematological and biochemical indices were monitored in 27 dogs concurrently infected with Anaplasma platys and other blood parasites and 6 healthy dogs as controls. The diagnosis of A. platys was based on demonstration of basophilic inclusions in thrombocytes. The principal clinical findings included anorexia, fever, lethargy, lymphadenopathy, arrhythmia, hepatomegaly, weight loss, pale mucosa and haemorrhages (epistaxis, cutaneous haemorrhage, melena). The main abnormal haematological findings included significantly (P<0.05−0.01) lower haemoglobin (9.4±1.023 g/dl), and platelet count (29.88±7.70 × 10³/μL) and low (P>0.05) packed cell volume (31.44±3.062%). Hypoalbuminemia was evident in some cases. Serum alkaline phosphatase (30.19 to 660.48 U/L) and L-alanme aminotransferase (24.35 to 383.33 U/L) activities also varied from case to case. Doxycycline @ 5 mg kg⁻¹ b.w. b.i.d. for 14 consecutive days was found effective.