THERAPEUTIC APPROACH AND CLINICAL MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS IN THE TREATMENT OF CANINE EHRLICHIOSIS

Abstract

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME), caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia canis and transmitted by the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus, is an important globally distributed zoonosis that can progress from acute presentations to severe chronic states characterized by progressive pancytopenia and bone marrow suppression. The therapeutic management of CME requires an integrated approach, focused both on the eradication of the etiological agent and on support for systemic damage, such as renal injury and vasculitis of the central nervous system. This study is a narrative literature review aimed at synthesizing recent scientific evidence on treatment protocols for CME. The literature reaffirms doxycycline as the standard protocol and drug of choice, demonstrating high efficacy in resolving complex clinical signs, including multifocal neurological lesions. In addition to antibiotic therapy, clinical management includes the promising use of adjuvant therapies, such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which acts as an antioxidant agent to enhance bone marrow activity and assist in the recovery of pancytopenia. Rigorous monitoring of target organs, using biomarkers such as SDMA and UP/C, is crucial for the early detection of alterations and prevention of progression to chronic kidney disease. It is concluded that successful treatment of canine ehrlichiosis depends on an integrated approach, based on the combination of doxycycline, preventive clinical monitoring, and targeted supportive interventions.