To the Editor:

I just finished reading your most informative front-page article in the Sept. 1 issue of The Enterprise. I am so sad that Edie Abrams had to go through what she did because of a tick bite, and I am very thankful that she came forward to share her experience about a tick-related illness that little is known about.

I first learned about anaplasmosis in May of this year when I took Lily Grace, our 2-year-old little Shorkie (Yorkie/ShihTzu) for her yearly physical and bloodwork. One of the blood tests was for Lyme disease. Three days later, I received a call from Dr. Lexi Becker at The Animal Hospital and she told me that Lily had tested positive for the anaplasma antibody.

She was immediately put on an antibiotic and, since it was detected early, Lily has recovered. After being informed of some of the symptoms, I realized that Lily was having a mild case of several of them (vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, etc.). I now check her several times a day after she has been outside for any sign of ticks.

So the moral of my letter is: If you have pets and they are outside, don’t forget when you are checking yourself for ticks, check them as well. Don’t think that, just because you treat your pet with a flea- and tick-control medication, your pet is totally protected. I was proactive by treating Lily monthly with a flea- and tick-control medication.

She is once again a happy, active little girl.

Sharon Boehlke

New Scotland