Symptoms of dog ehrlichiosis
Different stages of the disease are associated with different clinical symptoms. The acute phase occurs within 8 to 20 days after the parasite enters the body. This delay from infection to clinical symptoms is called the incubation period. The acute phase usually lasts two to four weeks. In some dogs, the acute phase resolves on its own without any clinical signs.
Some dogs will continue to develop subclinical infections that persist for months. In this case, the parasite was still present in these dogs but did not produce clinical signs. The disease can also enter a chronic phase, which usually occurs two to three months after infection and can last from months to years. Dogs with chronic disease may exhibit a variety of clinical signs. Ehrlichiosis may be associated with subtle, nonspecific symptoms such as lethargy, depression, anorexia, and fever, and may also have major effects on certain blood components, such as platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells. Thrombocytopenia (thrombocytopenia), these are common and may be associated with life-threatening bleeding.
There are several diseases that are clinically similar to Elliott’s disease. These include:
1. Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is another tick-borne rickettsial disease that can show similar symptoms, especially in the early stages.
2. Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia is a disease in which the body’s immune system destroys its own platelets. Thrombocytopenia is common in ehrlichiosis.
3. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease in which the body’s immune system collapses and affects many different systems in the body, such as the joints and kidneys.
4. Multiple myeloma is a malignant disease of white blood cells (called plasma cells). It may cause high protein levels in the blood, similar to ehrlichiosis.
5. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (a cancer of white blood cells) may be confused with ehrlichiosis in the presence of certain changes in the bone marrow.
6. There are many other diseases that can cause haemorrhage, hepatosplenomegaly, fever, and vague symptoms of weight loss, which must be ruled out.
In-depth diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis
Certain diagnostic tests are required for Make a definitive diagnosis of ehrlichiosis and rule out other diseases that may cause similar symptoms.
A complete medical history (tick exposure), description of clinical signs, and a thorough physical examination are essential to obtain an initial diagnosis.
In addition, the following tests are recommended to confirm the diagnosis:
1. A complete blood count (CBC) can show anemia, and white blood cell counts can be low or high depending on the current stage of the disease.
2. Biochemical analysis can detect elevated kidney or liver enzymes, electrolyte abnormalities, and elevated protein levels, especially the globulin fraction.
3. Urinalysis may reveal excess protein in some dogs with ehrlichiosis.
4. Platelet counts and complete coagulation characterization are necessary because thrombocytopenia is a common problem in this disease, and coagulation tests may be associated with abnormalities.
5. Chest and abdominal x-rays are an important step in any initial examination. In some dogs, test results are normal. In other dogs, they may show enlarged lymph nodes in the chest or abdomen, and evidence of an enlarged liver or spleen. In addition, x-rays help rule out other diseases and causes of the patient’s clinical symptoms.
6. Bone marrow aspiration is when a small needle is inserted into the core of one of the long bones and a small amount of bone marrow is removed and analyzed. Examining the bone marrow can help determine the cause of certain declines in blood cell counts and provide information on whether the bone marrow is healthy enough to recover. It also helps rule out other diseases, such as multiple myeloma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which are initially difficult to distinguish from Elliott’s disease.
7. Serology helps detect the various antibodies the body makes against Ehrlichiella. Antibodies are usually detectable within 7 days of exposure and infection with the microorganism and may persist for several months. It is sometimes difficult to determine whether the antibody titers present in dogs are due to chronic exposure to disease, because dogs live in areas where infected ticks are endemic, or whether the titers indicate active infection in dogs.
8. Ehrlithesis polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a test that can detect the presence of very small amounts of parasites.
In addition to the above tests, your veterinarian may suggest additional diagnostics to rule out or diagnose concurrent disorders.
These tests are not always necessary and are chosen on a case-by-case basis.
These tests include:
1. Other tick-borne diseases Serological analyses, such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, and Babesiosis, can be included in serological testing for ehrlichiosis.
2. In some cases, abdominal ultrasonography may be recommended.
It is very helpful in assessing the condition of the abdominal organs, including the liver, kidneys, lymph nodes, and spleen.
It can rule out other diseases when ehrlichiosis is initially difficult to differentiate. Your veterinarian may refer your dog to a veterinary internal medicine specialist or veterinary radiologist for this test.
3. Serological testing for brucellosis is recommended for any male dog with scrotal and hindlimb edema.
4. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing can be used in cases that are difficult to differentiate from systemic lupus erythematosus, an immune disease that affects many organs and systems throughout the body.
