canine babesiosis, also called piroplasmosis, is a severe parasitic pathologytransmitted by the bites of infected ticks. It can affect dogs of all ages, whether they are mestizos or of a defined breed, but it is more common in animals that do not have adequate preventive medicine. When not treated quickly, babesiosis can cause irreversible he alth damage and can be fatal.
Currently, canine babesiosis can no longer be considered an exotic disease. Due to the growth of the world population of ticks, diagnoses of babesiosis are increasing and reaffirm the need to adopt effective preventive measures. In this article on our site, we tell you more about babesiosis in dogs and its symptoms, as well as ways of treatment and prevention
How is babesia spread in dogs?
Canine babesiosis comprises a generalized infectious process that mainly affects red blood cells, and is caused by hematozoa (protozoa that live in in blood cells) called Babesia canis and Babesia gibsoni.
Babesia canis and Babesia gibsoni are indirect cycle intracellular hematozoans. In other words, these microorganisms cannot develop their larvae in the external environment, so they need an intermediate host to reproduce. In general, they lodge in the body of ticks (especially the Rhipicefalus sanguineus subspecies), concentrating in the salivary glands, in the intestine and in the ovary of these ectoparasites.
When an infected tick bites (or "bites") a dog, this is the gateway for Babesia to enter the canine body. The tick acts as a vector that harbors and transports the hematozoa that cause canine babesiosis to the body of our dogs. Although tick bites are the main way of transmitting Babesia in dogs, some animals were also infected after receiving transfusions of blood of other contaminated animals.
When babesia manages to reach the bloodstream, it reproduces rapidly, mainly affecting red blood cells, but also macrophages. Then, the hematozoa go to the lung and liver tissues, where they can cause irreversible damage and even cause the death of the animal.
Symptoms of piroplasmosis in dogs
After being bitten by an infected tick, the dog will experience an incubation period that usually lasts between 2 and 4 weeks. However, symptoms may become noticeable up to 2 months after the bite.
Usually the first symptoms of babesiosis in dogs are non-specific, such as fever, tiredness and loss of appetite In the Within 24 hours of developing these first symptoms, most dogs experience a sudden decline in their he alth picture.
According to the evolution and severity of the symptoms, Veterinary Medicine defines 3 clinical pictures of canine babesiosis: hyperacute, acute and the chronic. Next, we will see the characteristic symptoms of each of them.
Symptoms of acute babesiosis
Acute canine babesiosis is the most frequent clinical picture, where we observe the rupture or destruction of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia). As a consequence, the specific symptoms of the acute phase appear, which are:
- Anemia.
- Fever.
- Swollen lymph nodes (enlarged).
- Spleen enlargement.
When the acute condition is caused by Babesia canis, jaundice (the mucous membranes turn yellow thanks to liver damage) and the presence of blood in the urine (hematuria) may also be observed.
Symptoms of hyperacute babesiosis
This is the most worrying clinical picture of drooling in dogs, as it has a high fatality rate. The severity and speed of progression of its symptoms makes the prognosis unfavorable for most affected animals.
The peracute phase is usually diagnosed in dogs with severe tick infestation or in immunocompromised animals (especially puppies). Its characteristic symptoms are:
- Shock accompanied by hypothermia.
- Poor tissue oxygenation (tissue hypothexia).
- Lesions in the vascular network and in various tissues of the body (mainly lungs and liver).
Symptoms of chronic babesiosis
This is the clinical picture less common among dogs and can present asymptomaticin some cases. That is, there are dogs that are carriers of babesia, but do not show symptoms. However, chronic babesiosis is often characterized by the following symptoms:
- Intermittent fever.
- Anemia.
- Weightloss.
- Vomiting and diarrhea (usually rare).
- Fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites).
- Vision disturbances and eye problems.
- Neurological damage (which can lead to incoordination and seizures).
Diagnosis of babesiosis in dogs
If you notice that your dog shows any of the symptoms mentioned, don't sweat consult quickly with your trusted veterinarian. At the clinic, the professional will be able to request the necessary analyzes to proceed with the diagnosis and establish an appropriate treatment for your furry dog.
Usually the veterinarian will order blood and urine tests to check the animal's he alth status, check for anemia and if the number of platelets is reduced. However, serology (identification of antibodies in the blood) is often the best way to confirm the presence of Babesia in the body.
Treatment of piroplasmosis in dogs
Without a doubt, the most common question in these cases is how to cure piroplasmosis in dogs. When the diagnosis of canine babesiosis is confirmed, the specific treatment for each animal will depend on its clinical picture and general state of he alth. Many times, the veterinarian recommends hospitalization of the patient to observe his reaction to the treatment.
Generally, basic therapy consists of the use of drugs to eliminate babesia from the body. Most veterinarians choose to administer them through subcutaneous or intramuscular injections to enhance the effect of the drug's active ingredient. There are also treatments based on the use of antibiotics, but they are usually less effective.
Dogs with severe anemia should receive blood transfusions, in addition to requiring special care with their diet. Also, it will be essential to combat ticks so that the hematozoan does not re-enter the dog's body.
How to prevent piroplasmosis in dogs?
The prevention of babesia in dogs is extremely necessary to preserve the good he alth of our best friends. As the main form of contagion is through tick bites, the best way to prevent canine drooling is to respect the periodic deworming (internal and external) of our dogs and use good quality products to combat ticks. In addition, we must not forget to visit the vet every 6 months and keep their vaccination schedule up to date.
Vaccine against piroplasmosis in dogs
There is a vaccine that makes it possible to generate immunity for a minimum of six months against the parasite Babesia canis and which can also be used to relieve symptoms in case of infection. This vaccine is administered about three weeks after the administration of the puppy's first vaccinations. In any case, it should be the veterinarian who indicates when to administer the Babesia vaccine and how often to repeat it.
