Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis presenting as acute blindness 36 months after importation into the UK

A four-year-old Labrador retriever developed sudden-onset blindness, associ ated with bilateral uveitis, intraocular haemorrhage and retinal detachment . It had been imported into the UH from Sardinia 36 months before presentat ion. Haematological abnormalities included non-regenerative anaemia, thromb ocytopenia and neutropenia, Serum and urine protein electrophoresis demonst rated a monoclonal gammopathy, An immunofluorescent antibody test for Ehrli chia canis was positive, with a titre of 1:320, confirming a diagnosis of c hronic monocytic ehrlichiosis. This case highlights how the prolonged subcl inical phase of monocytic ehrlichiosis could enable infected dogs to enter the UH without signs of disease. Chronic monocytic ehrlichiosis should be c onsidered in dogs which have been imported from E canis-endemic countries a nd present with bleeding disorders and gammopathy, even if signs develop ma ny years after importation.