ACUTE BLINDNESS ASSOCIATED WITH MONOCLONAL GAMMOPATHY INDUCED BY EHRLICHIA-CANIS INFECTION

Ehrlichia canis infection was diagnosed in a Labrador retriever presen ted with a primary complaint of acute blindness. Ocular signs on admis sion included bilateral hyphema, retinal haemorrhage and retinal detac hment. Serum protein electrophoresis results revealed monoclonal gammo pathy. This report discusses and suggests the pathogenesis of ocular b leeding in canine monocytic ehrlichiosis. Blood hyperviscosity, elevat ion in oncotic pressure, vasculitis, thrombocytopenia and platelet dys function are all proposed to be important factors in the pathogenesis of acute blindness in canine monocytic ehrlichiosis. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.