A comparison of the efficacy of imidocarb dipropionate and tetracycline hydrochloride in the treatment of canine ehrlichiosis

Abstract

At the University of Nairobi small animal clinic, 5-7 mg/kg imidocarb dipropionate given i/m twice at an interval of 14 days was as effective as 14 daily, oral doses of 66 mg/kg tetracycline hydrochloride in alleviating the clinical signs of disease. Imidocarb eliminated the infection in 51 of 63 cases whereas tetracyclines cleared only 16 of 63 (as judged by cell culture isolation). Imidocarb had the further advantage of controlling concurrent babesiosis. The majority of dogs showed some transient side-effects after administration of imidocarb, while a small proportion of dogs dosed with tetracycline reacted adversely, and administration had to be stopped or the dose reduced.