Distribution and principles of treatment of cats ehrlichiosis in the conditions of the metropolis of Kharkov

Abstract

The article presents data on the distribution of ehrlichiosis among cats in the metropolitan city of Kharkiv and the basic principles of its treatment. Recently, the number of cases of domestic pets with transmissive diseases has been increasing in Ukraine. One of these is the naturally occurring, transmissive diseases of cats and dogs caused by rickettsiae of the genus Ehrlichia, known as ehrlichiosis. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of publications on the incidence of cats with ehrlichiosis. Ehrlichia are gram-negative, obligate, intracellular agents. Their average size is 0,5-1,5 microns. Plasma monocytes are parasitize in the form of morules, which are colored blue according to Romanovsky-Giemsa. Ixodidae ticks, primarily Rhipicephalus sanguineus, transmit the pathogen agents of this disease. As a result of the studies, it was found that ehrlichiosis was registered in 20,6 % of the examined animals of different ages, sex and breed. In cats aged 2-5 years old, the disease has registered more often. It should be noted that 11,26 % of animals were found to be infected with several pathogens of vector-borne diseases (babesiosis and ehrlichiosis). Monitoring of clinical symptoms in cats with ehrlichiosis was characterized by specific clinical symptoms: increase in body temperature to 39,8-41,0 °C, apathy, anorexia, periodic vomiting. In some cases, paleness or jaundice of the mucous membranes, hemoglobinuria, nasal bleeding, limping, and weakness of the hind limbs were registered. For the diagnosis, direct microscopy of peripheral blood smears was performed following the procedure using a Leukodif 200 blood smear rapid stain kit. To confirm the diagnosis, the material was examined for the presence of the pathogen DNA in the polymerase chain reaction of LLC "AGROGEN NOVO" Kharkov. The strategy of treating cat ehrlichiosis included the complex application of modern medicines (antibacterials, immunostimulants, metabolic correctors, hepatoprotectors, probiotics). This treatment scheme allows to achieve complete elimination of the pathogen from the animal.