Canine Ehrlichia (CEHR Ab) Rapid Test

What is Canine Ehrlichiosis?

Canine ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne disease affecting dogs worldwide, caused by various species of Ehrlichia bacteria, with Ehrlichia canis being the most common. These bacteria are transmitted primarily through the bite of infected ticks, particularly the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Other Ehrlichia species that can affect dogs include E. ewingii and E. chaffeensis.

When an infected tick feeds on a dog for 24-48 hours, the Ehrlichia bacteria enter the bloodstream and infect white blood cells, particularly monocytes and lymphocytes. The bacteria multiply within these cells, leading to an immune response and the various clinical signs associated with the disease.

Ehrlichiosis is sometimes called "canine typhus" or "tracker dog disease" and can progress through acute, subclinical, and chronic phases, with varying severity of symptoms at each stage.

Symptoms of Canine Ehrlichiosis

Canine ehrlichiosis typically progresses through three clinical phases, each with distinctive symptoms:

Acute Phase (2-4 weeks after infection)

• High fever (39.5-40.5°C)
• Lethargy and depression
• Loss of appetite (anorexia)
• Weight loss
• Swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)
• Respiratory distress
• Eye and nasal discharge
• Bruising (petechiae and ecchymoses)
• Spontaneous bleeding (epistaxis or nosebleeds)

Subclinical Phase (no outward symptoms)

• This phase can last for months to years
• Dog appears normal but may still have abnormal blood tests
• Ehrlichia organisms remain in the body
• Many dogs successfully eliminate the infection during this phase

Chronic Phase (occurs in some dogs)

• Bone marrow suppression leading to reduced blood cell production
• Severe weight loss
• Pale gums due to anemia
• Bleeding disorders
• Neurological signs including seizures, incoordination, or head tilt
• Eye inflammation (uveitis)
• Joint swelling and pain (polyarthritis)
• Kidney failure evidenced by increased drinking and urination

The severity of symptoms can vary widely between dogs, with some showing minimal signs while others develop life-threatening complications, particularly in the chronic phase.

Prevention and Vaccination

Tick Prevention

The most effective way to prevent ehrlichiosis is through consistent tick control:

• Year-round tick preventatives - Use veterinarian-recommended spot-on treatments, oral medications, or collars that kill or repel ticks
• Regular tick checks - Examine your dog thoroughly after outdoor activities, especially in wooded or grassy areas
• Proper tick removal - Remove attached ticks promptly using fine-tipped tweezers, grasping close to the skin and pulling straight out with steady pressure
• Environmental control - Keep grass trimmed short, remove leaf litter, and create barriers between wooded areas and recreational spaces
• Tick-infested area avoidance - Limit time in known tick habitats, especially during peak tick seasons

Vaccination

In some regions with high Ehrlichia prevalence, vaccines may be available:

• An E. canis vaccine is available in some countries but not widely used in the United States or Europe
• Vaccination efficacy varies and does not provide complete protection
• Tick prevention remains essential even for vaccinated dogs
• Consult with your veterinarian about the availability and appropriateness of vaccination based on your geographic location and your dog's specific risk factors

Treatment Options

When ehrlichiosis is diagnosed, treatment typically includes:

Antibiotic Therapy

• Doxycycline is the primary antibiotic of choice (5-10 mg/kg twice daily)
• Treatment typically continues for 28 days (4 weeks)
• Most dogs show clinical improvement within 24-48 hours of starting antibiotics
• Complete the full course as prescribed, even after symptoms resolve
• In some cases, other antibiotics like minocycline or chloramphenicol may be used as alternatives

Supportive Care

• Intravenous fluids for dehydrated patients
• Blood transfusions for severe anemia or bleeding disorders
• Anti-inflammatory medications for joint pain and inflammation
• Immunosuppressive drugs in cases of severe immune-mediated complications
• Hospitalization may be necessary for severely affected dogs

Follow-up Care

• Regular blood work to monitor response to treatment
• Long-term monitoring for potential relapse
• Repeated testing to confirm clearance of infection
• Additional treatments for specific organ damage in chronic cases

Early detection and intervention are crucial for successful treatment outcomes. Dogs diagnosed and treated in the acute phase generally have an excellent prognosis, while those in the chronic phase may have more guarded outcomes depending on the extent of organ damage.

FAQs About Canine Ehrlichiosis

Q: Can humans get ehrlichiosis from infected dogs?
A: Dogs cannot directly transmit ehrlichiosis to humans. However, the same ticks that infect dogs can also bite and infect humans with various Ehrlichia species. Finding ehrlichiosis in your dog indicates the presence of infected ticks in your environment.

Q: How is ehrlichiosis diagnosed?
A: Diagnosis involves a combination of clinical signs, blood tests showing typical abnormalities (like low platelets), and specific testing for Ehrlichia antibodies or DNA. Rapid in-clinic tests can detect antibodies within minutes, while PCR tests identify Ehrlichia DNA—indicating the presence of the organism, but not necessarily an active infection.

Q: How accurate are rapid tests for Ehrlichia?
A: Our rapid tests provide high sensitivity and specificity for detecting Ehrlichia antibodies. They detect exposure rather than active infection, and results should be interpreted by a veterinarian alongside clinical signs and possibly additional testing. For comprehensive screening, MeLCo-MED offers several combo rapid tests that can detect Ehrlichia along with other common tick-borne diseases in a single test, allowing for more complete diagnostic information.

Q: Can a dog have ehrlichiosis and other tick-borne diseases simultaneously?
A: Yes, co-infections are common because the same tick species can transmit multiple pathogens. Dogs may be simultaneously infected with Ehrlichia, Anaplasma or Borrelia (Lyme disease). Additionally, dogs in endemic areas may have co-infections with Heartworm or Leishmania, which are transmitted by mosquitoes or sandflies but often occurs alongside tick-borne diseases. These co-infections can complicate diagnosis and treatment, as symptoms may overlap or become more severe. Our MeLCo-MED combo tests can detect multiple infections:

• Canine Ehrlichia-Lyme-Anaplasma-Heartworm (CEHR Ab-CLym Ab-CANA Ab-CHW Ag) Combo Rapid Test: Tests for four common vector-borne diseases in one test. View product
• Canine Anaplasma-Lyme-Ehrlichia (CANA Ab-CLym Ab-CEHR Ab) Combo Rapid Test: Detects the three main tick-borne diseases affecting dogs. View product
• Canine Ehrlichia-Anaplasma-Heartworm (CEHR Ab-CANA Ab-CHW Ag) Combo Rapid Test: Screens for two tick-borne diseases plus heartworm. View product
• Canine Ehrlichia-Anaplasma (CEHR Ab-CANA Ab) Combo Rapid Test: Focuses on the two most common tick-borne bacterial infections. View product
• Leishmania (CEHR Ab-LSH Ab) Combo Rapid Test: Detects antibodies for both Ehrlichia and Leishmania, ideal for areas where both diseases are endemic. View product

Q: Is ehrlichiosis contagious to other dogs?
A: No, ehrlichiosis cannot spread directly from dog to dog. Transmission requires an infected tick bite.

Q: Can ehrlichiosis be completely cured?
A: With prompt and appropriate antibiotic treatment, most dogs recover completely from acute ehrlichiosis. However, some dogs with chronic ehrlichiosis may have permanent damage to organs or bone marrow, requiring ongoing management.

Q: Will my dog be immune after recovering from ehrlichiosis?
A: Unlike some viral diseases, recovery from ehrlichiosis does not confer lasting immunity. Dogs can be reinfected if exposed to infected ticks again, making ongoing tick prevention essential.

Q: How long after a tick bite will symptoms appear?
A: Symptoms typically develop within 1-3 weeks after infection from a tick bite. The acute phase lasts 2-4 weeks, followed by the subclinical phase which may last months to years.

Q: Is ehrlichiosis more common in certain breeds?
A: German Shepherds and Doberman Pinschers may be predisposed to more severe forms of ehrlichiosis, but all breeds can be infected.

Q: Should I test my dog regularly for ehrlichiosis?
A: Annual screening is recommended for dogs in endemic areas, even without symptoms. Testing is especially important after finding attached ticks or if your dog shows any potential symptoms.

References and Further Information

For more detailed information about canine ehrlichiosis, please consult these authoritative sources:

• European Scientific Counsel on Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP): Provides evidence-based guidelines for parasite control in companion animals. www.esccap.org
• World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA); Offers global guidelines for diagnosis and management of vector-borne diseases. www.wsava.org
• Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC): Provides prevalence maps and treatment guidelines for tick-borne diseases. www.capcvet.org

These organizations regularly update their guidelines based on the latest scientific research. Veterinary professionals are encouraged to consult these resources for the most current recommendations on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of canine ehrlichiosis.