Serving the Animals and their friends in Los Ayala, Rincon de Guayabitos and La Peñita

Animal Health

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Animal Health: Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue

Ehrlichiosis

Commonly know as Ehrlichia, related to Limes Disease, is very prevalent in Nayarit with animals. Ehrlichia is a tick borne disease which affects the blood cells. According to one vet in the area, almost every animal, especially street animals, have this disease. Blood tests, administered in Puerto Vallarta, are required to positively diagnose this disease. We have had problems in one of our spay and neuter clinics with Ehrlichia as the blood thins and does not clot, hence problems during recovery after surgery. Look for signs of lethargy, eye infection, lethargy, loss of interest in food, and a gradual loss of body condition especially evident around the eyes and along the spine. Other symptoms are: viral tumors on the face/mouth/muzzle, hemorrhaging even when blood count looks normal, clotting problems, seizures, muscle wasting, skin infections, neurological signs (repetitive obsessive actions, or palsy), diarrhea, urine too alkaline, vomiting, hyper reflective eyes, bleeding from the nose or eyes, arthritis, weakness, pallor, incontinence, pneumonia, cough, kidney failure, increased thirst and urination, incoordination, bleeding under the skin or a rash (purpura), swelling of the legs or joints. (Infosheet by Lynda Adame)

If you wish more detailed information, here are two of the many webpages which I have found useful about Ehrlichia:

http://www.greyhoundlist.org/ehrlichia_infosheet. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2103

Good news: Tetracycline and Doxicycline (at variable treatment lengths) have a 98% success rate at curing dogs of Ehrlichiosis.!

Attached are photos of Chiquita who was diagnosed during our last clinic with Ehrlichia. Her symptoms were lethargy, infection (yellow fluid) around her eyes, not eating, not drinking, sad, loss of body weight. We thought we might lose her. If your pet is ill and displays and of these signs, do get a blood test to check for Ehrlichia.

In the first photo, Mica and Darrel, her foster care parents are trying to get her electrolytes up by force feeding Pedialyte from a bottle. The second photo is Chiquita, resting after her fluids. After her treatment of Doxicycline, she is recovering but still waiting results from her blood tests. The prognosis is positive!

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Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue is not a registered non-profit organization with the government of Mexico and donations are not tax-deductible.