Characteristics and diagnostic methods for diseases caused by E. canis in dogs in Ho Chi Minh City

Abstract

The study was carried out to investigate the disease caused by Ehrlichia canis in dogs at K9 Veterinary Clinic system, Ho Chi Minh City by clinical examination methods and subclinical tests, such as physiological tests, giemsa staining and imaging diagnosis methods (ultrasound, X-ray). Conducting a survey on 439 dogs suspected of being infected with E. canis from January to June 2023, we recorded 97 (22.09%) dogs were positive with E. canis. The disease caused by E. canis in dogs depended on the age groups and raising method (P<0.05), regardless of gender and breed (P>0.05). The research results also showed that in 97 cases of E. canis infection, common clinical symptoms included fever (49.48%); tick infection (48.45%), nose bleeding (40.21%), subcutaneous hemorrhage (47.42%), retinal hemorrhage (29.89%), lethargy (64.95%) and weak hind legs (17.53%). The physiological parameters, such as: white blood cell count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet count were usually decreased. The result of imaging diagnosis indicated that 5 cases (5.15%) of splenic infarction and 17 cases (17.52%) of splenomegaly were identified.