Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Anaplasmosis...snap test....


Two weeks ago Solo was a bit sluggish so I decided a visit to the vet was a necessity. In the back of my mind I am continuously aware of the symptoms of anaplasma, TBE and borrelia – all 3 tickborne diseases as I believe that is what I lost Spooky to based on his clinical signs and bloodwork.

I asked the vet to do a “snap test” on Solo – a new test which is basically a blood test that comes back as positive or negative for the 3 diseases quite quickly. Soda was in the car so I took her out and had her tested aswell.

Solo’s test came back negative. Soda’s, surprisingly, came back POSITIVE for anaplasma. I discussed this with the vet over the phone as she has no clinical symptoms whatsoever. I went back the next day to do new blood tests – one to be checked for the regular values, the second to be sent to Germany for the titre values.

Her regular blood tests came back as normal – the titres for anaplasma came back as 1:1600 where values over 1:50 are positive. I have just started a recommended antibiotic treatment – basically “just incase” – as there are still no clinical signs. In 6-9 months we will re-test for titre values. But until then – business as normal. Soda will still be training and competing as usual as she has been given the all clear from the vet.

Last week I also had my shelties tested. They all came back negative on the snap tests. Phew.

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