Diagnosis and Management of Ehrlichiosis and Hepatozoonosis in a Dog

A dog was presented with epistaxis, melena, exercise intolerance, tick infestation and decreased feed intake. Clinical examination revealed pale mucous membranes, pyrexia, lymphadenopathy, depression and respiratory distress. Hematobiochemical examination revealed anemia, leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia, decreased levels of total serum protein, albumin and elevated creatinine. Upon microscopic examination of peripheral blood and buffy coat smear, H. canis morulae were identified in neutrophils and E. canis was also detected by nested PCR. The case was diagnosed as mixed Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis infection. Dog was treated with Doxycycline @10 mg/kg b. wt. once in a day orally for twenty eight days. Imidocarb dipropionate 12% w/v injection @ 6.6 mg/kg b. wt. subcutaneously twice fourteen days apart and other supportive treatment resulted in both clinical and parasitological cure.