Canine ehrlichiosis has been called "canine typhus." It first gained attention during the Vietnam War, when German Shepards and Doberman Pinchers contracted the disease. While the disease is not considered terminal, it can cause bone marrow failure in advanced cases.
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Identification
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Canine ehrlichiosis is a disease brought on by a tick which carries the ehrlichia bacteria. If the disease reaches the chronic stage, it can reoccur during times of stress or other illness.
Acute Stage
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Symptoms of the acute stage of canine ehrlichiosis include anemia, fever, depression, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, joint pain and enlarged spleen, liver and lymph nodes. Signs of this stage develop within seven to 21 days and can last up to a month.
Subclinical Stage
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The subclinical stage of this disease is the dormant stage and will only show slight anemia. This stage can last for months or years, during which a dog often rids itself of the disease.
Chronic Stage
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Signs of the chronic stage of the disease include bleeding, inflammation in the eye, accumulation of fluid in the hind legs, signs of neurological damage and a decrease in blood cells.
Common Symptoms
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There are common medical symptoms that a veterinarian will find in all three stages. These include a decrease in blood platelets, changes in protein levels, weight loss and a general anemia.
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