Vol. 7, Issue 9 (2018)

Author(s):
B Roopali, Vivek R Kasaralikar, NA Patil, Ravindra BG, Sandeep H and Dilipkumar D

Abstract:
Canine ehrlichiosis is a multisystemic, infectious disease caused by a number of pleomorphic rickettsiael organisms belonging to Ehrlichia species. Ehrlichia an obligate intracellular organism that resides as a micro colony within a membrane-lined intracellular vacuole (morulae), primarily within monocytes and macrophages of dogs. Ehrlichiosis is characterized by acute, sub-acute and chronic form with varied clinical signs. diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis is based on clinical signs, haemato-biochemical changes, identification of morulae in blood smear and buffy coat smear, serological and molecular techniques. Since there are few studies investigating the clinico, haemato-biochemical changes and therapeutic management of canine ehrlichiosis in India. Further, study of Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis has not been explored in Bidar (Karnataka state) till date, therefore, keeping in view the above issues the present study was undertaken to know the clinico, hemato-biochemical changes and therapeutic management of canine ehrlichiosis. In the present study, lymphadenopathy was the most predominant clinical sign followed by pyrexia, depression, bleeding tendencies (epistaxis), icteric mucous membrane, ascites and lameness. Anaemia, thrombocytopaenia, monocytopaenia, elevation of BUN, creatinine, ALT along with hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia and hyperglobulinemia were the major haemato-biochemical changes in ehrlichiosis affected dogs. Imidocarb dipropionate was found to be more efficacious in treating canine ehrlichiosis compared to combination of oxytetracycline and doxycycline along with papaya leaf extract (caripill^®) in terms of faster recovery and mean treatment days. Hence, imidocard dipropionate can be used for successful therapeutic management of canine ehrlichiosis.