Ehrlichia canis and tropical canine pancytopaenia
Seamer, J.; Snape, T.
Research in Veterinary Science 13(4): 307-314
1972
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-5288 PMID: 5072572 Document Number: 55360
E. canis was isolated from a military dog with tropical canine pancytopenia, and experimental infections were studied in 34 dogs. All dogs developed a high fever. Overt clinical signs were more severe in Beagles than in mongrels, but the haemorrhages reported in naturally and experimentally infected Alsatians did not occur. The main haematological changes were: thrombocytopenia with altered platelet morphology, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and a little later, anaemia. Leucopenia was not severe. The dogs recovered condition, but the infection and thrombocytopenia persisted for many months. It may be possible to control the infection chemotherapeutically. Administration of a thiosemicarbazone derivative during the incubation period delayed the onset of infection. Dogs fed a diet containing oxytetracycline failed to develop infection after experimental challenges, but they were found to be susceptible to E. canis when the antibiotic was withdrawn.