Ehrlichia canis infection in a dog

3-year-old female Pitbull terrier dog that had been moved to Republic of Korea was diagnosed with Ehrlichia canis infection. Abnormal findings on a complete blood count (CBC) and serum chemistry profile were moderate anemia, mild thrombocytopenia, hyperproteinemia and hyperglobulinemia. Serologic screening test by a commercial ELISA kit for Ehrlichia canis was positive, and serum antibody titer was markedly high (> 1 : 10240). The morula of Ehrlichia organisms was not detected in buffy coat blood smears. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done using the peripheral blood and the result was negative. Based on the serologic test results and the clinical signs, the dog was diagnosed as ehrlichiosis. The dog responded well to doxycycline and was uneventfully recovered.