Doulianaki M. DVM, Plakentia Veterinary Clinic, Athens | Timiou D. DVM, MSc Small animal medicine, GPcert Oncology, Plakentia Veterinary Clinic, Athens | Mylonakis M.E. DVM, PhD, Professor, Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Introduction
Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME, Ehrlichia canis), is one of the major causes of aplastic pancytopenia (AP) in endemic areas. This report outlines the treatment of a dog presented with CME-associated AP with the use of filgrastim and eltrombopag.
Clinical case
A 2-year-old spayed female German Shepherd dog was presented with depression and inappetence. Three weeks earlier, she was tested seropositive to E. canis and was treated with doxycycline and prednisolone. Clinical examination revealed mild lymphadenomegaly, mucosal pallor, and fever. Bloodwork indicated severe pancytopenia and bone marrow histopathology revealed hypoplasia of all three hematopoietic lineages. The dog was hospitalized for 10 days and treated with crystalloids, packed red blood cells, antibiotic treatment, filgrastim (8μg/kg/24 hr once per day subcutaneously for one week) and eltrombopag (1.3 mg/ kg/24 hr once per day, per os for one month).
Results
A complete clinical and hematological recovery was noticed for at least two months after discharge from the clinic.
Conclusions
Although CME-associated AP has a poor prognosis, especially in German Shepherd dogs, intensive medical management and use of hematopoietic growth factors may increase the chances of survival.
