Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with low platelets and Ehrlichia infection diagnosed by blood
By Heeb, Heather L et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2003·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Large granular lymphocytosis, lymphocyte subset inversion, thrombocytopenia, dysproteinemia, and positive Ehrlichia serology in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old mixed-breed dog was brought in for evaluation of possible leukemia after blood tests showed low platelet counts and an unusual increase in certain white blood cells. The tests also indicated signs of a tick-borne disease, specifically Ehrlichia canis, which suggested the dog had been exposed to this infection. The veterinarian treated the dog with a combination of doxycycline (an antibiotic) and prednisone (a steroid), which helped improve the dog's condition. After treatment, the dog's health showed significant improvement.
People also search for: dog leukemia symptoms · Ehrlichia canis treatment · dog low platelet count · doxycycline for dogs · prednisone side effects in dogs
Abstract
A 7-year-old, mixed-breed dog was presented for evaluation of a possible lymphocytic leukemia. Results of laboratory testing included thrombocytopenia, large granular lymphocytosis, inverted CD4:CD8 ratio, hyperglobulinemia, and hypoalbuminemia. Results of a tick-borne disease panel indicated a positive immunoglobulin G serum titer (1:2,048) to Ehrlichia canis, supporting exposure to this organism. The dog responded to a combination treatment of doxycycline and prednisone. A review of the literature and novel diagnostic methods that aided in the diagnosis of this case are discussed.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12873028/