Anaplasmosis in Cattle: Tick-Borne Disease Causing Haemolytic Anaemia

Bovine anaplasmosis, caused by Anaplasma marginale, is a tick-transmitted disease that destroys red blood cells, causing severe anaemia, jaundice, and death in adult cattle. It is one of the most significant tick-borne cattle diseases worldwide.

Key Facts

Anaplasma marginale infects and destroys mature red blood cells, causing acute haemolytic anaemia
Cattle over 2 years of age are most severely affected; younger animals often develop mild or subclinical infection and become carriers
Clinical signs include pale or yellow mucous membranes, fever, weakness, milk drop, and reproductive failure
Mortality rates in untreated adult cattle can reach 30–50% in naïve herds
The disease is transmitted by multiple tick species including Rhipicephalus and Dermacentor species
Tetracycline antibiotics are effective treatment if administered early in the course of infection
Persistent carrier cattle serve as disease reservoirs and can transmit infection to susceptible herd-mates

Welfare Considerations

Bovine anaplasmosis causes significant suffering. Severe haemolytic anaemia produces extreme weakness, laboured breathing, and circulatory collapse. Affected cattle may be unable to stand and experience profound physical distress before death if untreated. The acute phase is painful and debilitating. Sub-clinically infected carrier animals may have impaired immunity and productivity over time. Prevention through tick control, strategic antibiotic use in endemic areas, and blood-testing to identify carriers reduces both the frequency and severity of disease. Prompt recognition and treatment are critical to minimising individual animal suffering when outbreaks occur.

What You Can Do

Implement integrated tick control programmes on farms in anaplasmosis-endemic regions
Test purchased cattle for A. marginale carrier status before introducing them to naive herds
Know the clinical signs of anaplasmosis and act promptly with veterinary treatment — early tetracycline therapy saves lives
Vaccinate where live or killed vaccines are available and licensed in your country
Work with your vet to develop a herd health plan for tick-borne disease management