The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of canine Ehrlichiosis among animals treated at the Corozal Veterinary Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Panama, Brazil. The survey was conducted retrospectively with data obtained from January 2004 to December 2009, based on the records of clinical cases of canine ehrlichiosis, confirmed with blood smear, race and demographics data (age, sex and place of origin) of each animal. The results revealed that 10.12% of the treated animals (n = 1452) were positive in the period under review. These animals were of both sexes with a mean age of approximately 3.6 years. The monthly prevalence recorded was 9.98%, with a significantly higher infection rate in 2008 (14.83%). The positive cases were significantly higher in the months of March, May and September and lowest in February, with a noteworthy density of cases equal to or higher than the average from May to October. Breed and place of origin of the animals were identified as risk factors.
rickettsias; Ehrlichia; ehrlichiosis; dogs