Anaplasma platys, a tick-borne pathogen, infects canines, livestock, and occasionally humans worldwide. A total of 384 cephalic blood samples were obtained from domestic dogs (n=230) and stray dogs (n=154) for the detection of A. platys infection using PCR (16S rRNA) from district Jhang. The information regarding host and management was collected on a pre-tested questionnaire. The present study revealed an overall prevalence of A. platys 10.16% (39/384) comprising domestic dogs (7.42%) and stray dogs (15.62%). The logistic regression analysis revealed health status as the significant risk factor. For the therapeutic clinical trial, the domestic dogs were selected and randomly separated into five groups containing five dogs each. The animals of Group 1 (n=5) received doxycycline @10mg/kg, PO (21 days). The dogs of Group 2 (n=5) were given enrofloxacin at the rate of 2.5mg/kg, IM for 21 days. The dogs of Group 3 (n=5) were given doxycycline (10mg/kg) PO and prednisolone at the dose rate of 3 mg/kg body weight PO for 21 days. Group 4 (n=5): enrofloxacin 2.5mg/kg IM for 21 days IM and prednisolone 3mg/kg body weight PO for 21 days. A substantial increase of platelets and packed cell volume was noticed with the recovery rate of 60, 40, 100, and 80% for Groups I, II, III and IV; respectively. It can be concluded that canine anaplasmosis is endemic in dogs of Jhang, Pakistan. Doxycycline combined with prednisolone showed greater hematological improvement compared with the other treatment regimens evaluated in this study.

To Cite This Article: Atif FA, Khan L, Kashif M and Qamar MF, 2026. Molecular detection and therapeutic evaluation of Anaplasma platys infection in domestic and stray dogs in Jhang district, Pakistan. Pak Vet J, 46(9): 2262-2269. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2026.211