Ehrlichiosis and polyarthritis in three dogs

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1988 Apr 15;192(8):1093-5.

Abstract

Three dogs admitted for evaluation of lameness were determined to be infected with a neutrophilic strain of Ehrlichia. Ehrlichia morulae were detected in low numbers in both synovial fluid and blood neutrophils. The dogs had rapid clinical improvement after appropriate antibiotic therapy. A diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis easily could have been missed if morulae had not been identified. Ehrlichiosis should be considered in acutely lame dogs residing in areas enzootic for ehrlichiosis. A careful search for Ehrlichia morulae within synovial fluid and blood neutrophils should be performed. An E canis titer determination also may be helpful.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arthritis, Infectious / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Infectious / etiology
  • Arthritis, Infectious / veterinary*
  • Dog Diseases / drug therapy
  • Dog Diseases / etiology*
  • Dogs
  • Ehrlichia / isolation & purification
  • Female
  • Lameness, Animal / drug therapy
  • Lameness, Animal / etiology*
  • Male
  • Rickettsiaceae Infections / drug therapy
  • Rickettsiaceae Infections / etiology
  • Rickettsiaceae Infections / veterinary*