Vol. 12, Special Issue 8 (2023)

Author(s):
Pathological studies of canine ehrlichiosis in two coastal districts of Odisha

Abstract:
Present study was aimed to evaluate the clinic-pathological alterations in Ehrlichiosis affected dogs in two coastal districts like Puri and Ganjam in Odisha over a period of four months i.e. November, 2021 to February, 2022. A total of 53 pet dogs (n=19, Puri; n=34, Ganjam) was included for screening which were either presented to local veterinary dispensaries as well as Veterinary Clinical Complex (VCC) of the college with non-specific clinical signs like dullness, in-appetence with pyrexia for more than 10 days. Screening was done on basis of blood smear examinations by observing morulae in leucocytes showing. Present study recorded an overall prevalence of 28.57% (n=16) of Ehrlichiosis among dogs. Prevalence of disease in Puri and Ganjam recorded 26.31% (n=5) and Ganjam (n=11, 32.35%) respectively. There was highest prevalence of ehrlichiosis among male dogs (n=11, 68.75%), dogs between 1-3 year ages (n=10, 62.5%), German Shepherd breeds (n=43.75%). Hematological evaluations revealed a decline in total leucocytes and total platelet count. Serum biochemical examinations revealed an altered liver and kidney function tests. One dog died during the study period subjected for detail post-mortem examination showing degenerative changes in liver and kidney. Microscopic examinations of representative tissues collected during necropsy revealed necrosis of hepatocytes, sinusoidal congestion with vacuolar to fatty degenerate changes and increased bowman’s spaces with accumulations of pinkish exudates suspected of proteinaceous deposits in the tubular lumens.