Conventional blood smear diagnosis and clinico-pathological findings of canine monocytic Ehrlichia canis in a rottweiler dog

Abstract

A four year old, male, Rottweiler dog was brought to small animal medicine outpatient ward unit at Veterinary Clinical Complex, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India with the history of anorexia, panting and nasal discharge. On physical examination, the prescapular lymph node was swollen and mucous membrane congested. Pinpoint petechial hemorrhages were present on ventral abdomen. For hematological and biochemical analysis, the blood was collected and examined under automated hematology and biochemical analyzers. Blood smears were prepared from peripheral site and stained with leishman’s - Giemsa stain. Hematological examination revealed anemia, leukocytosis along with monocytosis and thrombocytopenia. Blood pictures revealed presence of hypochromasia and anisocytosis. The blood smears showed presence of morulae of Ehrlichia canis. It was present in both monocytes and lymphocytes. Biochemical examination showed elevation of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and reduced albumin level. The case was diagnosed as an Ehrlichia canis based on presence of initial bodies and morulae within lymphocytes and monocytes. The case was treated successfully with Doxycycline @ 10 mg/kg/B/Wt for 14 days.