Recurrent canine monocytic ehrlichiosis: case report

Abstract

Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis is a disease caused by the obligate intracytoplasmic bacterium Erlichia canis, having as vector the tick of the dogs Rhipicephalus sanguineus. It has a clinical course based on acute, subclinical and chronic presentations, varying the intensity of the signs, being able to attend with anemia, depression and in chronic cases depletion. It has a worldwide distribution, but even with the vector intensely present in Rio Grande do Sul, the number of scientific clinical reports are very low. The objective of this work was to report a case of Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis in a dog in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. A female, 5-year-old, atopic, Shih Tzu was treated with complaint of lack of appetite and apathy. The hemogram showed intense macrocytic hypochromic anemia. The smear was positive for Erlichia sp. A treatment with doxycycline was instituted with subsequent stabilization of the condition. Three months later, the animal returned to the same symptomatology of apathy and lack of appetite, being diagnosed with hyperchromic normocytic anemia and hematocrit of 5%. Immediate blood transfusion and a new treatment with doxycycline of 15 days were instituted, being an improvement of the picture after this period. This work underscored the importance of correct diagnosis and treatment as well as incorporating the scientific literature on Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis in Rio Grande do Sul.