CASE REPORT: CANINE EHRLICHIOSIS

Resumo

Canine ehrlichiosis is an infectious disease caused mainly by Ehrlichia canis, a gramnegative obligate intracellular bacterium transmitted primarily by the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The disease is considered highly prevalent in small animal practice, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, and may present in acute, subclinical, or chronic phases. Clinical manifestations vary according to disease severity and may include fever, apathy, anorexia, weight loss, lymphadenomegaly, hemorrhagic disorders, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and ophthalmic or neurological alterations. Diagnosis is based on cl inical findings associated with laboratory tests such as complete blood count, serological tests, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the latter being more effective in detecting the acute phase of the disease through identification of the agent’s DNA. Tr eatment is primarily based on doxycycline associated with supportive therapy, and prognosis depends on the stage of the disease and the patient’s clinical condition. This study aimed to present a literature review on canine ehrlichiosis and to report a cli nical case monitored at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Marília (UNIMAR). A six -month-old mixed-breed male dog weighing 8.4 kg was presented with anorexia and adipsia for five days, vomiting, respiratory distress, and bilateral ocular discharg e. Clinical examination revealed hyperthermia, apathy, pustular skin lesions, corneal opacity in the left eye, and low body condition score. Complementary examinations were performed, including complete blood count, biochemical profile, rapid test for distemper, and PCR for ehrlichiosis. Hematological findings demonstrated normocytic normochromic anemia, eosinopenia, monocytopenia, and thrombocytosis. The rapid distemper test was negative, while PCR confirmed infection by Ehrlichia canis. The patient receiv ed supportive treatment with fluid therapy, antiemetics, gastric protectants, analgesics, probiotics, antibiotics, and nebulization, followed by a therapeutic protocol for hemoparasitosis. During clinical follow -up, improvement in the general condition was observed; however, progression of the corneal opacity suggested persistent uveitis, requiring ophthalmic therapy with a steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The reported case reinforces the importance of early diagnosis, appropriate complementary testing, and proper treatment of canine ehrlichiosis, while also highlighting the relevance of clinical follow- up in academic training and veterinary patient management.