Dr. Sandeep HalmandgeM S KUSUM2024-09-132024-09-132024https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810214478The present research work was conducted to record the prevalence of canine ehrlichiosis in and around Bidar, to study clinical and haemato-biochemical changes, comparative diagnostic evaluation by blood smear, buffy coat smear and PCR and to study the therapeutic efficacy of doxycycline, imidocarb dipropionate and rifampicin. Among 4313 cases presented to Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College, Bidar from January 2022 to December 2023, 68 cases were positive for canine ehrlichiosis accounting for prevalence of 1.58 per cent. It was found that the prevalence of canine ehrlichiosis was higher in male dogs than and female dogs with highest in age group of one to three years followed by less than one year of age. Prevalence was higher in labrador retriever dogs and highest prevalence was recorded during summer season. Lymphadenopathy, tick infestation, pyrexia and anorexia were the most predominant clinical signs followed by pale mucous membrane and bleeding tendencies. Hematological investigation showed a decrease in values of hemoglobin, total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, total leucocyte count and lymphocytes along with an increase in neutrophils whereas biochemical parameters showed a decrease in albumin and A:G ratio with an increase in globulin values. Blood smear and buffy coat smear were found to be less sensitive (11.53% and 30.76% respectively) and highly specific (100%) in detecting canine ehrlichiosis. PCR was found to be highly sensitive and specific for canine ehrlichiosis. The Bidar isolate 1 showed cent per cent homology with the isolates of dogs from different geographical regions. Doxycycline was found to be more efficacious in treating canine ehrlichiosis compared to imidocarb dipropionate and rifampicin based on early recovery.EnglishThesis