Pantavou K.T. DVM, GPCert (SAM), ISVPS, Plakentia Veterinary Clinic, Athens | Karra K.E. DVM, GPCertDI, ISVPS, Plakentia Veterinary Clinic, Athens
Introduction
A cute canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (ACME) is a tick-borne disease known to cause bleeding diathesis and pyrexia. Other less common clinical manifestations are diarrhea and interstitial pulmonary disease. This is a case of acute monocytic ehrlichiosis with enteritis, bronchial pulmonary disease and vasculitis.
Clinical case
A 3-year-old intact male Cane Corso, fully vaccinated and dewormed, was presented with a history of depression and diarrhea. In clinical examination he had pyrexia and popliteal lymphadenomegaly. Hematology showed thrombocytopenia with increased mean platelet volume. Serology for infectious diseases was positive for Ehrlichia canis with a positive PCR from whole blood. Abdominal ultrasound and abdominal radiographic examination revealed enteritis. Five days after the first presentation the patient started dyspnea and hypoxemia was found on arterial blood gas analysis. Thorax radiographic examination and Computed Tomography (CT) revealed bronchial pattern pulmonary disease, subcutaneous edema and ascites associated with vasculitis.
Results
The patient responded to doxycycline, prednisolone, theophylline and oxygenation therapy. Two months after discontinuation of therapy whole blood PCR was found negative for ehrlichia canis.
Conclusions
This case outlines uncommon clinical manifestations observed in ACME necessitating supportive therapy. Further investigation is warranted to determine if bronchial pulmonary disease could be indicative of ACME.
