High-dose filgrastim helps dog with ehrlichiosis and low blood cells

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To report the management and outcome of a dog with canine monocytic ehrlichiosis and nonregenerative pancytopenia, with high doses of filgrastim. CASE DESCRIPTION: An 8-year-old male, mixed-breed dog, weighing 5.6kg, presented with a 1-month history of hyporexia, adynamia, and a weight loss of approximately 1kg. The general condition of the dog was observed to be poor as follows: lethargy, tachycardia, marked pallor of the mucous membranes, petechiae on the abdomen, hepatosplenomegaly, and cervical lymphadenopathy. A complete blood count analysis revealed severe leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. A direct immunofluorescence assay using anti-Ehrlichia canis-immunoglobin G (1:400) yielded positive result. The dog was diagnosed with nonregenerative pancytopenia associated with canine monocytic ehrlichiosis. The dog presented poor prognostic signs (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and severe anemia). The dog was treated with antibiotics and a short course of high-dose filgrastim (50µg/kg, SC, q 48h for 4 days) to stimulate bone marrow response, prednisone to decrease peripheral platelet destruction, and an iron supplement to compensate for the iron deficiency in the bone deposits. Although temporary side effects associated with filgrastim use, such as bone pain, bleeding, and the worsening of thrombocytopenia, were observed, the treatment improved the clinical course and the cell counts in less than a month. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The treatment protocol used in this case might be an alternative for treating cases of severe myelosuppression. This treatment plan can substantially change the clinical course of the disease for the better, compared to conventional treatment.