RECURRENT DEEP PYODERMA IN GERMAN-SHEPHERD DOGS WITH UNDERLYING EHRLICHIOSES AND HYPERGAMMAGLOBULINEMIA

Four German Shepherd dogs with recurrent deep pyoderma and associated ehrlichioses are described. All the dogs had already received appropri ate long-term antibacterial therapy but the clinical signs had consist ently returned within 3-4 weeks of cessation of the treatment. Haemato logical and serum biochemical findings, and indirect fluorescent antib ody (IFA) tests were indicative of Ehrlichia spp. infection. Treatment with doxycycline monohydrate was associated with the return of blood values to within normal ranges and diminution of the IFA titres. No fu rther episodes of pyoderma were observed during a 1-2-year follow-up p eriod.