Frecuencia de la trombocitopenia en Canis lupus familiaris diagnosticados con ehrlichiosis canina en una clínica veterinaria del centro de Guayaquil.

Abstract

Canine ehrlichiosis is an infectious disease transmitted by the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia canis, which affects platelets, leading to thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia is the abnormal decrease in platelet count, which increases the risk of hemorrhages. The objective of this study was to measure the frequency of thrombocytopenia in dogs with ehrlichiosis. This research was conducted at a veterinary clinic in downtown Guayaquil, Ecuador, where 85 dogs were diagnosed with canine ehrlichiosis through rapid tests using the Senspert test (Anaplasma/Ehrlichia) and automated hemograms. The study followed a quantitative and correlational approach, using an observational and cross-sectional methodology. The results showed that 50.6 % of the dogs presented thrombocytopenia, confirming that this alteration is common but not constant in the disease. No significant association was found between thrombocytopenia and variables such as age or sex, whereas a statistically significant relationship was observed with the presence of the vector and, especially, with the clinical phase of the disease, being more frequent in the acute and chronic phases. In addition, clinical signs such as fever, weakness, anorexia, petechiae, hemorrhages, and stiffness when walking were significantly associated with thrombocytopenia, highlighting their value as clinical indicators. These findings contribute to improving the understanding of the hematological and clinical behavior of canine ehrlichiosis in the region, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and evidence-based monitoring to prevent complications and optimize treatment of this pathology in veterinary medicine.