Clinico-therapeutic studies on ehrlichiosis in dogs
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Date
2003
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Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy
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.
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