Question Details
Anaplasmosis And Lyme Disease
by Hen4761@gmail.com - July 20, 2026
Hi Dr. Steve,

Could you give me your recommendations please on duration of treatment for anaplasmosis with either Voltrex or Cessorex? I was reading that your usual recommendation seems to be starting Cessorex if there are no clinical signs/lab changes, but wondering for how long? And if using Voltrex for anaplasmosis (with clinical signs/lab changes) when would you stop the supplement?

For Lyme disease would your recommendations be the same for non-clinical (Use Cessorex) and clinical signs/lab changes (use Voltrex). And at what quant C6 levels would be best to consider d/c the herbs? Or is there a quant c6 level that you would only use Cessorex (eg < 30) and use Voltrex if levels are >30?

Thanks so much,

Heather Nickel
Replies
by naturevet
July 26, 2026
Hi Heather,

Both Voltrex and Cessorex contain Minor Bupleurum at their core. Minor Bupleurum is effective against multiple types of latent infection including Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis. I will be lecturing on the science of why Minor Bupleurum is so effective for these infections at the Southwest Veterinary Symposium in San Antonio this September, if you're in the area.

Of these two formulas, I might reach most commonly for Cessorex when I'm treating Anaplasmosis if there is associated bone marrow suppression and anemia. I might reach for Voltrex for Lyme disease because it also addresses joint pain and inflammation very well. Apart from that, though, they are somewhat interchangeable because of their shared Minor Bupleurum core.

In terms of duration of treatment, I would use the same criteria that you might use if treating these infections conventionally. For Anaplasmosis, assuming you're finding the formula effective, I would discontinue treatment only once signs and symptoms have abated. I would then wean gradually, seeking the lowest required dose to maintain that symptom-free state. Usually, you will be able to discontinue the formula.

For Voltrex, we'd want to see symptoms resolve and then seek the lowest required dose. The quantitative C6 titer should be tracking downwards during that improvement. Certainly, once the C6 is below (I think it is) 16, you shouldn't need the Voltrex anymore, if symptoms have also resolved.

Latent pathogens are very gratifying to treat with herbal medicine, so hopefully this all makes enough sense for you to take a stab at treating those patients yourself. If you opt for doxycycline, the drug is compatible with these formulas, but many veterinarians find the formulas themselves suffice

Steve
by Hen4761@gmail.com
July 28, 2026
Thank you so much Steve. Just to clarify, if a patient has no clinical signs and fed a whole food diet, but would like to start something to help oust the Anaplasma, how long would you use Cessorex for? And this would be the same for Ehrlichia/Lyme as well? Or would you not use anything at that point, since there are no clinical signs, they are real food fed? Sorry… so many questions :))

Heather
by naturevet
July 28, 2026
Hi Heather,

There would be no problem using either for a month or two to be on the safe side. For Lyme, I would probably take advantage of a quantitative titer to tell me if I needed to continue

Steve
by Hen4761@gmail.com
July 28, 2026
Got it! Thanks Steve!
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