Ehrlichiosis

• Infection is caused by obligate, intracellular organisms that affects cells of immune system in Dogs and Cats.

• Family Anaplasmataceae.

Etiology :

• Ehrlichia canis (dog)  🠊🠊🠊🠊🠊🠊🠊  affects monocytes

• Ehrlichia ewingii (cat) 🠊🠊🠊🠊🠊🠊🠊 affects  granulocytes

Ticks :

• Rhipicephalus sanguineus

• Amblyomma americanum

• Ixodes scapularis

Clinical Signs :

1. Dyspnea

2. Depression

3. Splenomegaly

4.  Generalized Lymphadenopathy

5. Edema of scrotum and legs

6. Fever

7. Anterior uveitis

Diagnosis :

• Clinical signs

• Positive serum indirect flourescent antiody titer (IFA)

• Direct blood smear and microscopy

Treatment :

• Doxycycline 5-10 mg/kg/day IV for 21 days  (Drug of choice)