CONCURRENT CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS AND EHRLICHIOSIS IN A PUP

Cryptosporidiosis is a parasitic gastrointestinal disease caused by enteric protozoa, Cryptosporidia spp., affecting a wide variety of animals as well as humans.This report describes a case of mixed infection of cryptosporidiosis and ehrlichiosis in a pup and its successful therapeutic management.A four-month-old female Siberian Husky pup was presented with a complaint of vomiting and blackish diarrhea with foul smell.Clinical examination revealed fever, accelerated respiration and pulse rates and pale mucous membranes.On faecal examination free oocysts and budding cells suggestive of Cryptosporidium could be detected, which were confirmed as Cryptosporidium parvum based on the morphology by Modified Ziehl-Neelsonstaining and micrometry.Blood smear examination revealed morula of Ehrlichiacanis in the monocytes.Haematological examination showed significant anaemia with neutrophilia, and thrombocytopenia.The animal was successfully treated with azithromycin and oxytetacycline along with supportive treatments including fluids, haematinics, aminoacids and hepatoprotectants.Considering the close association between companion animals and their owners, the role of dogs as a potential risk factor for the zoonotic infection with C. parvum should be investigated.