Clinico-therapeutic studies on ehrlichiosis in dogs

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to get a detailed understanding on clinico-therapeutic, haematological and biochemical aspects of ehrlichiosis in dogs. A total of 64 animals showing symptoms suggestive of the disease were taken as the study group. Diagnosis was based on examination of blood/buffy coat smear and by IF A test as well. Examination of blood/buffy coat smear revealed Ehrlichia canis morulae in the cytoplasm of leukocytes in 16 animals. IF A test, detected antibodies in 42 animals. 0 age, sex or breed predilection for the disease was noticed. Most frequent clinical signs observed were fever, anorexia/selective appetite, lymphadenomegaly, depression and congested mucous membrane. Haematological abnormalities mainly encountered included normocytic normochromic anaemra, thrombocytopenia and monocytosis. Serum biochemical abnormalities observed were elevated levels of serum ALT, AP, total protein, globulin, creatinine and low levels for albumin and lower values for A/G ratio. A therapeutic trial with doxycycline and prednisolone gave encouraging clinical response and good uneventful recovery. The results of the present study confirm that ehrlichiosis is a disease that is prevalent in our area and treatment with doxycycline can be considered as the therapy of choice for ehrlichiosis in dogs.