Final answer:
Anaplasmosis and shipping fever are distinct diseases affecting cattle. Anaplasmosis is not the common cause of shipping fever, which is mainly due to pathogens like Mannheimia haemolytica. Correct diagnosis is necessary for appropriate disease management.
Step-by-step explanation:
Shipping fever, also known as bovine respiratory disease (BRD), is a complex disease which occurs when cattle are stressed, typically during transport or upon arrival at a new location such as a feedlot. The etiology of shipping fever is multifactorial, often involving a combination of viral and bacterial pathogens, with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Histophilus somni among the most common bacterial culprits. Anaplasmosis, on the other hand, is caused by a different group of pathogens; obligate intracellular species such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum and is primarily transmitted by ticks, although it can spread through other vectors such as insects or by the use of contaminated needles.
Anaplasmosis affects red blood cells and can cause severe anemia in cattle, but it is not typically associated with the respiratory symptoms seen in shipping fever. While both conditions can occur in cattle and may present with fever, they are fundamentally different diseases with separate causal pathogens and clinical presentations. Proper diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and management of these diseases.