80 (1) pp 38-48

Title: 
Glomerulopathy as a complication of monocytic ehrlichiosis in a dog
Author(s): 
L. DESMET, D. PAEPE, F. DE KEYSER, S. DAMINET
Abstract: 

This report describes a clinical case of chronic monocytic ehrlichiosis in a dog that originated from Spain. Thepatient was presented with chronic unilateral epistaxis. Hematologic and biochemical abnormalities namely anemia,thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, lymphocytosis, hyperproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia and hypergammaglobulinemiatogether with the anamnesis, suggested an infection with Ehrlichia canis. Although gammopathy caused byehrlichiosis is usually polyclonal, serum protein electrophoresis revealed a monoclonal gammopathy. E.canis titerswere strongly positive. The dog was treated with doxycycline for a period of eight weeks, which led to resolution ofthe clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities, except for persistent hyperproteinemia. Proteinuria was recognizedone year later. This was probably due to glomerular damage as a result of chronic ehrlichiosis. Combination therapywith doxycycline, a low protein diet, an ACE-inhibitor and acetylsalicylic acid lead to a significant reduction in themagnitude of proteinuria.

Full text: 
pp 38-48
Case report(s)