Anaplasmosis in Cattle: Prevention and Treatment in Kenya

What is Anaplasmosis?

Anaplasmosis (also called Gallsickness or Turning Sickness) is a blood disease of cattle caused by the parasite Anaplasma marginale, transmitted by ticks. It destroys red blood cells, causing severe anemia. In Kenya, it is one of the leading causes of cattle deaths alongside East Coast Fever.

How It Spreads

• Primary vector: Brown ear tick (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus) and other tick species
• Blood-to-blood: Contaminated needles, dehorning equipment, tattoo equipment
• Biting flies: Tabanid flies can mechanically transmit
• In utero: Pregnant cow can infect calf

Animals at Risk

• Exotic breeds (Friesian, Ayrshire, Jersey) - most susceptible
• Crossbreeds - moderately susceptible
• Indigenous breeds (Zebu) - more resistant, often carriers
• Animals 1-3 years old most severely affected
• Adult cattle that survive develop partial immunity

Symptoms

Early stage (1-3 weeks after infection):

• High fever (40-41.5C)
• Loss of appetite, reduced milk production
• Pale/white mucous membranes (check gums, inner eyelids)
• Rapid breathing, increased heart rate

Advanced stage:

• Severe anemia - very pale gums, conjunctiva
• Weakness, staggering
• Yellow tinge (jaundice) - yellow eyes, skin
• Dark brown/reddish urine (hemoglobinuria) - KEY sign
• Constipation or bloody diarrhea
• Nervous signs: aggression, circling, bellowing

Terminal stage:

• Collapse, inability to rise
• Rapid breathing
• Death (if untreated) within 1-4 days of severe symptoms

Diagnosis

• Clinical signs (fever + anemia + jaundice)
• Blood smear: laboratory examination shows parasites
• Rapid test kits available at vet clinics

Treatment

Treat IMMEDIATELY - delay increases death risk

First line treatment:

• Oxytetracycline (OTC) LA - 20mg/kg body weight. Inject intramuscularly. Repeat after 24-48 hours if not improving

Supportive treatment:

• Blood transfusion - for severe anemia (vet only)
• Vitamins B12 + Iron - supports red blood cell recovery (Haemovet, Ferrodex injections)
• Provide clean water and good feed
• Reduce stress - keep animal in shade, quiet area
• Do NOT force animal to walk if severely anemic

Recovery:

• Animals that survive 2-3 weeks usually recover
• Full recovery: 4-8 weeks
• Milk production may remain low for 1-2 months
• Animal becomes a carrier - watch for relapses under stress

Prevention

Tick Control (Most Important):

• Dip or spray with acaricide weekly (wet season). Products: Amitraz, Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin
• Alternate acaricides every 3 months (prevent resistance)
• Check and remove ticks from ears, udder, groin daily
• Maintain clean, short-grazed pastures (reduces tick habitat)

Equipment hygiene:

• Use separate needles per animal - NEVER share
• Sterilize dehorning equipment between animals
• Clean ear taggers with spirit before each use

Chemoprophylaxis:

• In high-risk areas: Oxytetracycline LA injection every 4 weeks during high tick season (Discuss with vet)

Pasture management:

• Rotational grazing reduces tick burden
• Avoid grazing in tick-infested areas during peak season
• Keep pastures short - ticks prefer tall grass

When to Call a Vet

Call immediately if you notice:

• Animal not eating for 24+ hours with fever
• Very pale or yellow gums
• Dark urine
• Animal unable to stand

Economic Impact

• Death losses: KSh 50,000-200,000 per animal
• Milk production loss: 30-50% for 1-2 months
• Treatment cost: KSh 2,000-8,000 per animal
• Prevention cost: KSh 200-500/month (tick control)
• Prevention is 10x cheaper than treatment