Antigen Rapid Test Cassette Instructions - Lifecosm E.canis Ab Test Kit for veterinary diagnostic test – Lifecosm

E. canis Ab Test Kit

Information

Symptoms

Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs is divided into 3 stages;
ACUTE PHASE: This is generally a very mild phase. The dog will be listless, off food, and may have enlarged lymph nodes. There may be fever as well but rarely does this phase kill a dog. Most clear the organism on their own but some will go on to the next phase.
SUBCLINICAL PHASE: In this phase, the dog appears normal. The organism has sequestered in the spleen and is essentially hiding out there.
CHRONIC PHASE: In this phase the dog gets sick again. Up to 60% of dogs infected with E. canis will have abnormal bleeding due to reduced platelets numbers. Deep inflammation in the eyes called “uveitis” may occur as a result of the long term immune stimulation. Neurologic effects may also be seen.

Diagnosis and treatment

Definitive diagnosis of Ehrlichia canis requires visualization of morula within monocytes on cytology, detection of E. canis serum antibodies with the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, and/or gel blotting (Western immunoblotting).
The mainstay of prevention of canine ehrlichiosis is tick control. The drug of choice for treatment for all forms of ehrlichiosis is doxycycline for at least one month. There should be dramatic clinical improvement within 24-48 hours following initiation of treatment in dogs with acute-phase or mild chronic-phase disease. During this time, platelet counts begin to increase and should be normal within 14 days after initiation of treatment.
After infection, it is possible to become re-infected; immunity is not lasting after a previous infection.

Prevention

The best prevention of ehrlichiosis is to keep dogs free of ticks. This should include checking the skin daily for ticks and treating dogs with tick control. Since ticks carry other devastating diseases, such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, it’s important to keep dogs tick-free.