Bovine Anaplasmosis: Tick-Borne Blood Disease Welfare

Key Welfare Facts

Bovine anaplasmosis causes severe anaemia, fever, and weakness due to red blood cell destruction by the pathogen.
Mortality in naive adult cattle can exceed 50%, while calves under 1 year typically have milder clinical disease.
Affected animals show rapid breathing, jaundice, weight loss, and profound weakness causing prolonged suffering.
Tick vectors transmit infection and must be controlled to prevent disease spread within and between herds.
Antibiotic treatment with tetracyclines is effective when started early but must be administered promptly.
Carrier animals maintain infection for life and must be managed carefully to prevent transmission to naive cattle.

Welfare Assessment

Anaplasmosis causes intense welfare compromise through haemolytic anaemia and fever. Tick control programmes, vaccination where available, and rapid antibiotic treatment of clinical cases are the primary welfare interventions. Veterinary consultation is essential for outbreak management.

What You Can Do

Implement effective tick control programmes as the primary prevention strategy
Monitor cattle closely during tick season for early signs of anaemia or fever
Seek immediate veterinary treatment for any suspected anaplasmosis cases
Test purchased cattle for carrier status before introduction to naive herds