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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Dog in Connecticut with ehrlichiosis causing fever and lethargy

By Magnarelli, L A et al.·Published in Journal of clinical microbiology·1990·Department of Entomology·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Canine ehrlichiosis in Connecticut.

Species:
dog
Canine ehrlichiosisAppetite & weightDogs

Plain-English summary

A female Brittany spaniel in Connecticut was brought to the vet because she was very tired, not eating, and had a fever. The vet found signs of bleeding spots on her skin and discovered she had an enlarged spleen, low platelet count, and anemia. Tests showed she had a high level of antibodies to Ehrlichia canis, a tick-borne infection. This case highlights that this disease can occur in northern areas of the U.S. The dog received appropriate treatment for the infection and is expected to recover.

People also search for: Brittany spaniel lethargy · dog not eating fever · Ehrlichia canis treatment

Abstract

The first case of canine ehrlichiosis in Connecticut is reported. A female Brittany spaniel from Milford presented with lethargy, anorexia, fever, petechiae, splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, anemia, elevated serum alkaline phosphatase, lymphopenia, and hypoalbuminemia. Serologic analysis revealed antibodies to Ehrlichia canis (titer, 1:2,560). This documents a more northern geographic distribution in the United States for this infectious agent than had previously been suspected.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2312682/