Pancreatitis Associated with Canine Ehrlichiosis: A Case Report

Background: Pancreatitis is the most common disorder of exocrine pancreas in both dogs and cats. Although sometimes etiology is discovered but in the most of the times etiology of pancreatitis remains hidden. Ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne disease which primarily caused by Ehrlichia canis. Most of dogs infected with this pathogen, show lethargy, depression, anorexia, bleeding tendencies, and pale mucous membranes but occasionally peripheral edema, neurologic signs and pancreatitis could be seen. Methods: A ۷-years-old neutered dachshund presented with hyporexia, mild purulent ocular discharges, diarrhea and vomiting. On initial examination, pale mucous membranes with petechia and enlarged lymph nodes was detected. In abdominal palpation evidences of pain in cranial abdomen had been seen. CBC were taken and case was referred for abdominal ultra-sonography. Following Results of hematology a blood sample was taken to PCR detection of Ehrlichiosis. Results: ultra-sonography evaluations revealed a mild increase in size of pancreas associated with increase echogenicity of peripheral fat. Thickening of colonic wall (۰.۱۷cm) with enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes was noted too. Results of ultra-sonography suggests mild pancreatitis along with steatitis. CBC analysis showed a nonregenerative anemia. Leukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphopenia, monocytopenia in addition to bandemia revealed an infectous inflammation state which is lead to Toxic regenerative left shift. Sever decrease of platelets was remarkable. PCR of blood sample showed presence of ehrlichiosis genes and it was reported as positive. Conclusion: This case highlights Importance of searching for initial cause of pancreatitis and the potential of ehrlichiosis to cause pancreatitis. In such cases, thorough clinical examination is necessary and plays a critical role to find the etiology. Besides we should assume ehrlichiosis, though uncommon, as a notable etiology for pancreatitis.

کلیدواژه ها:

Pancreatitis ، Ehrlichiosis ، Dogs ، ultra-sonography ، PCR