 "Anaplasma phagocytophilum", a Gram-negative, obligately intracellular bacterium that causes anaplasmosis, has been detected in "L. cervi", as has "Borrelia burgdorferi", the causative agent of Lyme disease, but whether the insect can serve as a vector is as yet unknown.Horses can develop colic after a bite.Dogs that are bitten may develop a moderate to severe dermatitis.