MANAGING CANINE EHRLICHIOSIS IN A MALE PUG DOG: IMPORTANCE OF TICK CONTROL MEASURES

Abstract

Canine Ehrlichiosis is a multi-systemic infectious disease caused by the Ehrlichia canis and transmitted through the brown dog tick Rhiphicephalus sanguinus. This case study presents a successful therapeutic management of a two-year-old male pug dog with Canine Ehrlichiosis. The dog was initially presented with various clinical symptoms, including tick infestation, anorexia, melena, and exercise intolerance, with confirmatory diagnosis via nested PCR being performed. Treatment with doxycycline led to complete recovery and absence of parasitic evidence on buffy coat smear and nested PCR. However, the dog was later re-infected due to exposure to infected ticks from its surroundings, resulting in a recurrence of the disease. The study highlights the importance of proper tick control measures and monitoring to prevent the reoccurrence of Canine Ehrlichiosis in dogs.