2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

A total of six young laboratory-reared beagles that were infected by AP, but no other vector borne agents, as evidenced by detection of AP DNA in blood by PCR assay (FastPanel, Antech Diagnostics) and AP antibodies in serum (Accuplex 4 BioCD system; Antech Diagnostics) after infestation with wild-caught I. scapularis were selected for study. On Week 20 after I. scapularis infestation, the dogs were placed into two Groups, each containing one AP PCR positive, AP antibody positive dog and two AP PCR negative, AP antibody positive dogs. Group 1 was administered doxycycline at 5 mg/kg, PO, twice daily for 4 weeks. After sample collection the morning of Week 24, all dogs were administered prednisolone at 2 mg/kg, PO, daily for 2 weeks. The dogs were evaluated daily for clinical abnormalities and by CBC, AP PCR and AP antibody assay Weeks 24-28. Sera from 5 dogs was assayed for AP antibodies on Week 48.