Nephrotic syndrome in a dog secundary Ehrlichia sp

Abstract

Canine ehrlichiosis is an infectious disease caused by a hematozoan of the genus Ehrlichia. Clinical signs commonly found are lethargy, fever, anorexia, vomiting, enlarged lymph nodes, coagulopathy and acute kidney injury. Nephrotic syndrome is a consequence of glomerulopathy and characterized by proteinuria, hypoalbuminaemia, edema or ascites, and hypercholesterolemia. The purpose of this report is to describe a case of nephrotic syndrome caused by a canine ehrlichiosis.  A 6 years old dog was attended weighing 15Kg, showing apathy in physical examination, rectal temperature 40°C, pale mucous, dehydration rate of 8%, ascites and edema of the limbs. Biochemical tests showed hypoalbuminaemia, creatinine, urea and cholesterol increased. Low density and proteinuria was demonstrated on the urine test. The blood count revealed thrombocytopenia, normocytic anemia and leukocytosis with a neutrophilic left shift. The survey hemoparasite revealed the presence of morulae Erlichia sp. The treatment consisted of fluid with Ringer lactate, doxycycline 10 mg / kg / VO / BID, furosemide 2 mg / kg / EV / TID, and atropine 0.04 mg / kg / SC and imidocarb dipropionate 5 mg / kg / SC both in a single dose. The animal died due to complications of the disease.