Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Severe Ehrlichia and Toxoplasma infection in a dog with blood
By Ioana Sandu et al.·Published in Veterinary Medicine and Science·2025·Department of Parasitology ‐ Parasitic Diseases and Animal BiologyUniversity of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of BucharestBucharestRomania, GB·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: A Severe Clinical Case of Ehrlichia canis and Toxoplasma gondii in a Dog (With the First Morphological Detection of Tachyzoites in Peripheral Blood)
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old female mixed-breed dog was brought to the vet showing signs of neurological issues, difficulty breathing, extreme tiredness, and not wanting to eat. The vet found several ticks on her and ran tests that revealed she was infected with both Ehrlichia canis and Toxoplasma gondii, two serious infections that can be transmitted by ticks and other means. Unfortunately, this case was severe and resulted in a fatal outcome. The diagnosis was confirmed through blood tests and a more advanced technique called PCR.
People also search for: dog breathing problems · mixed-breed dog lethargy · Ehrlichia canis treatment · Toxoplasma gondii in dogs · dog tick infection symptoms
Abstract
ABSTRACT Vector‐borne pathogens (VBPs) are frequently identified in domestic dogs, particularly in endemic areas or in individuals lacking protection from anti‐feeding products. Diagnostic procedures in veterinary clinics for symptomatic animals primarily include rapid serological assays; however, more definitive, albeit time‐intensive tests typically require well‐equipped laboratory facilities. A 5‐year‐old female mixed‐breed dog was presented to a veterinary clinic exhibiting neurological abnormalities, dyspnoea, lethargy and anorexia. Multiple ticks, predominantly of the genera Rhipicephalus and Dermacentor, were observed attached to the animal's integument. A blood smear examination revealed tachyzoites morphologically consistent with Toxoplasma spp. and intracellular morulae indicative of Ehrlichia canis infections. These findings were subsequently confirmed via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This report documents a rare and fatal canine co‐infection of ehrlichiosis and toxoplasmosis, initially diagnosed through microscopic examination and serology, with definitive confirmation achieved through PCR analysis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70380