Harrus S, Ofri R, Aizenberg I, Waner T
Department of Clinical Sciences, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
Vet Parasitol. 1998 Jul 31;78(2):155-60. doi: 10.1016/s0304-4017(98)00132-0.
Ehrlichia canis infection was diagnosed in a Labrador retriever presented with a primary complaint of acute blindness. Ocular signs on admission included bilateral hyphema, retinal haemorrhage and retinal detachment. Serum protein electrophoresis results revealed monoclonal gammopathy. This report discusses and suggests the pathogenesis of ocular bleeding in canine monocytic ehrlichiosis. Blood hyperviscosity, elevation in oncotic pressure, vasculitis, thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction are all proposed to be important factors in the pathogenesis of acute blindness in canine monocytic ehrlichiosis.
