Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Puppy in Ohio with joint swelling diagnosed with Ehrlichia ewingii
By Gieg, Jennifer et al.·Published in Veterinary clinical pathology·2009·College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Diagnosis of Ehrlichia ewingii infection by PCR in a puppy from Ohio.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 8-week-old male German Shepherd-cross puppy from Ohio was brought to the vet because he was limping and seemed very tired. The vet found that he had a fever and swelling in his joints, along with some blood abnormalities. Although initial blood tests didn't show the expected signs of a tick-borne infection, a special test called PCR confirmed he had Ehrlichia ewingii, a type of bacteria spread by ticks. After starting treatment with doxycycline, the puppy's symptoms improved within a few days, and follow-up tests showed he was free of the infection after 18 days and again three years later.
People also search for: puppy limping and tired · German Shepherd tick disease · doxycycline for Ehrlichia in dogs
Abstract
An 8-week-old, male, German Shepherd-cross puppy found in southeastern Ohio was presented to The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for evaluation of lameness and lethargy. Fever and joint effusion involving multiple joints were identified on physical examination. Results of a CBC included mild anemia, mature neutrophilia, monocytosis, and hyperglobulinemia. Rickettsial morulae were identified within neutrophils in joint fluid and peripheral blood. Both initial and convalescent serum titers were negative for Ehrlichia sp.; however, PCR analysis was strongly positive for Ehrlichia ewingii. The patient's clinical signs resolved within several days of beginning doxycycline treatment. Resolution of infection was confirmed by negative PCR results after 18 days of treatment and again after 3 years. This is the first reported case of E. ewingii in Ohio. More importantly, this case demonstrates the importance of PCR in making a definitive diagnosis of tick-borne disease and the potential pitfalls of relying on serologic testing alone in making a diagnosis.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19351337/