THROMBOCYTOPATHIA AND LIGHT-CHAIN PROTEINURIA IN A DOG NATURALLY INFECTED WITH EHRLICHIA-CANIS

A 6-year-old dog was presented for evaluation of recurrent epistaxis. Platelet counts, biochemical tests, and coagulation tests were within the normal range, but a mucosal bleeding time was prolonged: there was hyperproteinemia and a monoclonal gammopathy. Heterogeneity of light chains appeared in urine, however, thus suggesting that the gammopathy was polyclonal. Platelet aggregation tests showed decreased responsiv eness to collagen. An Ehrlichia canis indirect fluorescent-antibody ti ter was positive (1:40). Treatment with tetracycline, melphalan, and p rednisone resulted in a rapid clinical improvement that persisted for at least 3 years. Copyright (C) 1997 by the American College of Veteri nary Internal Medicine.