Central Vestibular Disease in a Pug Breed Dog Secondary to Ehrlichia canis Infection
Saurabh Zingare
Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh – 231307, India.
Abhijeet Ranjan
Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh – 231307, India.
Vinod Kumar
Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh – 231307, India.
Kruti Debnath Mandal
Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh – 231307, India.
Rahul Ganpatrao Kadam
Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh – 231307, India.
Amit Raj Gupta
Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh – 231307, India.
Dayanidhi Jena *
Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh – 231307, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Canine ehrlichiosis, caused predominantly by Ehrlichia canis and transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus, is a globally distributed tick-borne disease with diverse clinical manifestations ranging from acute to chronic systemic illness. While hematological abnormalities such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia are well-recognized hallmarks, neurological involvement is less common but increasingly reported. This case report describes a 9-year-old male pug presented with central vestibular signs including head tilt, circling, ataxia, nystagmus, and vomiting. Clinical evaluation revealed pyrexia, dullness, and tick infestation. Preliminary otoscopic examination was done to rule out any ear infection. Hematological analysis showed anemia, leukopenia, and marked thrombocytopenia, while biochemical parameters remained within normal limits. Peripheral blood smear was negative for hemoparasites. A presumptive diagnosis of CME was confirmed by quantitative PCR, which detected Ehrlichia canis DNA. Treatment comprised doxycycline (5 mg/kg BID for 4 weeks), prednisolone (1 mg/kg BID tapered over 3 weeks), and meclizine (1 mg/kg SID) along with supportive therapy. Hematological parameters normalized post-treatment, and vestibular signs resolved completely. The case highlights the neurotropic potential of E. canis, which likely induces central vestibular signs via immune-mediated inflammation and vascular injury.
Keywords: Canine ehrlichiosis, central vestibular disease, doxycycline, Ehrlichia canis