Eighty-six dogs were selected based upon Ehrlichia (E.) canis SNAP 3Dx positive results to determine clinical relevance of annual E. canis screening. Immunofluorescence assay showed 72 (84%) of 86 dogs were seroreactive for E. canis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed that 12 (14%) of 86 dogs had Ehrlichia deoxyribonucleic acid; seven had E. canis, four had E. ewingii, and one was coinfected with E. chaffeensis and E. ewingii. Thrombocytopenia (<164,000 platelets/μL) was found in 28 (39%) of 72 dogs. In this study, thrombocytopenia was frequently detected in healthy Ehrlichia SNAP 3Dx-positive dogs, whereas active infection was infrequently confirmed by PCR. Therefore, treatment based upon screening results alone is not recommended.
Copyright 2009 by The American Animal Hospital Association
2009
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