Canine ehrlichiosis is an infectious disease characterized by sepsis caused by tick-borne Ehrlichia canis. Domestic dogs, wild dogs, and rodents are hosts for Ehrlichia canis. Dogs of all genders, ages and breeds can be infected with this disease.

1.Клинические симптомы

The clinical signs of canine ehrlichiosis can be divided into three stages: acute, subacute and chronic. In the acute stage (1-3 weeks) usually manifested as fever, anorexia, weight loss lymph node enlargement, nosebleed, bleeding tendency (such as subcutaneous hemorrhage, blood in urine). In the subacute phase (weeks to months) clinical symptoms are mild, but blood tests show thrombocytopenia and anemia. In the chronic phase, severe weight loss, anemia, bone marrow suppression (resulting in thrombocytopenia), and immune-mediated diseases (e.g., polyarthritis) are seen.

2.Передача

Canine ehrlichiosis is mainly transmitted by blood-sucking insects, especially ticks. The tick acquires the pathogen by biting a sick dog and then spreads it to other dogs by sucking blood after becoming an adult. The disease can also be transmitted through direct contact with the blood of sick dogs.

3.Clinical Diagnosis

Diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis usually involves a combination of clinical signs, hematology, and specific laboratory tests. Hematologic tests show thrombocytopenia, anemia, and leukopenia or leukocytosis. Laboratory tests use blood smears to check for the presence of ehrlichiae in leukocytes. Serologic tests detect anti-Ehrlichia antibodies, such as the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test. Molecular biology detects Ehrlichia DNA, such as the PCR test.

4.Профилактические меры

Ticks are mainly controlled through the use of anti-tick drugs, such as flea collars and topical deworming drugs, and regular cleaning and disinfection of kennels to reduce tick habitats.

Tetracycline antibiotics, such as doxycycline, are commonly used to treat sick dogs, and the course of treatment is usually 4 weeks. Rehydration, blood transfusions (in cases of severe anemia) and symptomatic treatment are also administered. There is no commercially available vaccine for canine ehrlichiosis, and prevention relies mainly on tick control.

Экспресс-тест на антитела к эрлихии собак

Antigenne has developed a Canine Ehrlichia Antibody Rapid Test for testing canine blood samples, which is fast, easy to operate and highly accurate, and can be used as an effective means for users to do тест на эрлихию whether their dogs are suffering from Canine Ehrlich’s Disease.