Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel
Scientists develop canine ehrlichiosis vaccine
Continued research needed before commercialisation

A study into canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) by scientists in Israel has led to a breakthrough, enabling the development the world's first ever CME vaccine.

Dr Shimon Harrus and Dr Gad Baneth were performing a study with their doctoral students to determine how long ticks must be attached to a dog's fur in order to transmit the disease, however, when some dogs were not affected, they decided to investigate further.

"I was using bacteria I cultured in my lab," explained Harrus. "All of a sudden I realised the two dogs in our experiment did not become sick, and the ticks I put on the dogs did not become infected.


"Then we performed a big study and we realised something important was going on."

When a brown dog tick passes bacteria to a dog's blood stream via a bite, the dog will have a fever and lowered blood-cell counts. This progresses to a chronic stage in some dogs, which is often fatal. After initial infection, a dog will require a lengthy course of antibiotics, unless they have been administered tick-control beforehand.

The vaccine, which took around five years to develop, is the first to prove effective against the attenuated Ehrlichia strain of the disease.

"We need to make sure it works against other strains, we need to learn the mechanism by comparing the attenuated strain against wild strains, and we have many other research questions," said Harrus, adding that funding is needed for continued research before the vaccine can be commercialised.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Veterinary Dispensary Manager Online Course relaunched

News Story 1
 The VMD has announced dates for its next Veterinary Dispensary Manager Online Course.

The event will relaunch on Thursday, 23 October 2025 from 9am to 5pm and will be delivered through an interactive online session.

It is open for anyone involved in a veterinary dispensary role, whether they are new to the topic or looking for a refresh. Attendees will receive vital insights into the safe and compliant handling of veterinary medicines.

The course can be booked online for £495. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.