Comparación de la eficacia terapéutica con Tetraciclina (Doxiciclina) y Diamidina (Dipropionato de Imidocarb) contra Ehrlichia canis en perros (Canis lupus familiaris)

Abstract

Ehrlichia canis (E. canis) is a Rickettsia responsible for canine ehrlichiosis, which is caused by the bite of the Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick, affecting mononuclear cells and reaching other organs, where they multiply. Its treatment is complex and prolonged, using antibiotics (Doxycycline) or Diamidine (Imidocarb Dipropionate) for 28 days, but most of the time it is not fulfilled. The objective was to compare the therapeutic efficacy of Tetracycline (Doxycycline) and Diamidine (Imidocarb Dipropionate) against E. canis at 30, 45 and 60 days post-treatment in 40 dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), divided into 2 groups of 20 dogs for each one, being the first treated only with Doxycycline (10 mg/Kg/daily) and the second with Doxycycline (10 mg/Kg/daily) + Imidocarb Dipropionate (6.67 mg/Kg) applying 2 doses 15 days apart. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a non-significant statistical relationship (p>0.05) was obtained when comparing both treatments. But both therapeutic plans were effective in eliminating this microorganism in the analyzed dogs, with only one patient (3%) continuing to test positive even after 30 days of treatment, which belongs to the first group (Doxycycline). In conclusion, both treatments are highly effective in counteracting systemic infection caused by Ehrlichia canis, but in order to guarantee this fact, it is advisable to use both treatments simultaneously.