Recurrent deep pyoderma in German Shepherd dogs with underlying ehrlichioses and hypergammaglobulinaemia.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Dermatology
• Canine Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Recurrent deep pyoderma is a common and challenging condition in dogs.
• Antibacterial therapy often fails to provide long-term resolution for pyoderma.
• Concurrent Ehrlichia spp. infection is a potential underlying cause for treatment-resistant pyoderma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of Ehrlichia spp. infection in recurrent deep pyoderma in German Shepherd dogs.
• To evaluate the efficacy of doxycycline monohydrate in treating Ehrlichia-associated pyoderma.

Main Methods:

• Case series describing four German Shepherd dogs with recurrent deep pyoderma.
• Diagnostic workup included hematological and serum biochemical analyses.
• Indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) testing was used to detect Ehrlichia spp. infection.
• Treatment involved doxycycline monohydrate administration.

Main Results:

• Hematological and biochemical values normalized following doxycycline treatment.
• Indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) titres for Ehrlichia spp. decreased.
• No pyoderma relapses were observed during a 1-2 year follow-up period.

Conclusions:

• Ehrlichia spp. infection should be considered in cases of recurrent deep pyoderma unresponsive to conventional antibacterial therapy.
• Doxycycline monohydrate is an effective treatment for Ehrlichia-associated pyoderma, leading to long-term resolution.