~ 20 ~ International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry 2016; 1(5): 20-23 ISSN: 2456-2912 VET 2016; 1(5): 20-23 © 2016 VET www.veterinarypaper.com Received: 16-07-2016 Accepted: 19-08-2016 Asmita Shrestha Nepal Agriculture Research Council, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal Rockson Karmacharya Veterinary Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, Kathmandu, Nepal Corresponding Author: Asmita Shrestha Nepal Agriculture Research Council, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal Ehrlichiosis in a dog: A case study Asmita Shrestha and Rockson Karmacharya Abstract Spike, age of 1 year, local dog, was found with history of anorexia, weak, and high fever. The blood test determined range of Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and hemoglobin below the normal and White Blood Cell count slightly increased. Ehrlichiosis was diagnosed in dog from blood smear, revealing morula of E. canis, and also confirmed by rapid test kit. Oxytetracycline at the dose rate 10 mg/kg body weight was administered intravenously with Normal saline slowly. Continuous slow infusion of lactated ringers was provided for three to four hours. Doxycycline capsule was recommended at the rate 10 mg/ kg body weight orally for 14 days twice a day after food. Dexamethasone and Ranitidine were given at dose 2 mg/kg body weight subcutaneously once. After 14 days the dog was recovered and looked healthier. Hemoglobin came to its normal position and PCV was 30. Keywords: dog, doxycycline ehrlichiosis, E. canis 1. Introduction Ehrlichia was first associated with veterinary diseases in Africa in 1925 by Cowdry who identified Ehrlichia ruminantium in cattle and a decade later by Donatien and Lestoquard who described E. canis in Algerian dogs [1] . CME (Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis) is tick borne disease caused by Ehrlichia canis. It is small, coccus, gram negative bacteria with single circular chromosome. Ehrlichia spp manage to survive within the vector ticks by invading and replicating in endothelial cells, white blood cells, midgut cells, and salivary glands of the vector ticks [2] . Ehrlichia spp has developed strategies to subvert host cell processes ranging from host signaling, modulation of vesicular traffic, protection from oxidative burst, acquisition of nutrients, and control of innate immune activation [2] . The main vector for E. canis in Europe is the tick Rhipicephalus known as the brown dog-tick [3] . Following an incubation period of one to three weeks, three typical phases of the disease may develop sequentially: acute, subclinical, and chronic [4] . Common clinical signs of Ehrlichiosis include anemia, epistaxis, petechiae, ecchymoses, prolonged bleeding during estrus, hematuria or melena associated with thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopathy, or vasculitis. Ocular signs are also common in CME. The most common are anterior uveitis, corneal opacity, hyphema, retinal vessel tortuosity, chorioretinal lesions, subretinal hemorrhage, retinal detachment, or blindness [5] . The study conducted, determined the prevalence of ehrlichiosis in dogs as 1.8%and 8% , in Kathmandu [6,7] . A dog with E. canis can recover after proper treatment during acute phase but the prognosis is grave in chronic phase. The treatment of dog takes longer time period and regular blood test is required to determine the recurrent infection [5] . As, E. canis is common in dogs of Kathmandu, the purpose of this case study was to provide general outline of the condition of dog from initial stage of infection to recovery phase and treatment response in dog. 2. Materials and Methodology 2.1 History Spike, age of 1 year, local dog, was brought with history of anorexia since many days, weak, and high fever. No any vomiting and diarrhea was reported. Finding the pale mucus membrane and pale conjunctiva, owner was suggested to have complete blood profiling test of dog. Blood was collected from jugular vein through 5 ml syringe.