TREATMENT OF BABESIOSIS IN DOGS
Dr .RUCHI SINGH GAUR
Veterinary Medical Officer,Sirsagunj,Firozabad, Animal Husbandry Department (U.P)
Babesia infection or babesiosis refers to a tick-borne infection due to a protozoal parasite. Babesia invades mammalian red blood cells causing anemia. Babesia species are found worldwide.Babesiosis is considered a serious threat to racing greyhounds and pit bull terriers.
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Causes of Babesia
Babesiosis is primarily spread through the bite of an infected tick (multiple tick species can carry the disease). There is also evidence that some direct animal-to-animal transmission may occur, such as when an infected dog with oral lesions or abrasions bites another dog. This is particularly true for Babesia gibsoni, which primarily affects pit bull terriers. Recent studies show that Babesia may be transmitted transplacentally (to unborn puppies in the uterus of their mothers). Dogs may also be inadvertently infected through tainted blood transfusion. Dogs housed in kennel settings with poor tick control are at a higher risk for developing babesiosis.
Clinical signs of babesiosis-
Dogs infected with babesiosis may present with a wide variety of clinical signs ranging in severity from a sudden collapse with systemic shock, to a hemolytic crisis (the body attacks and destroys the red blood cells called hemolysis), to a subtle and slowly progressing infection with no apparent clinical signs.
Dogs typically present with the acute, severe form of babesiosis, which is characterized by findings such as abnormally dark urine, fever, weakness, pale mucous membranes, depression, swollen lymph nodes, and an enlarged spleen. Blood and urine tests may reveal anemia, thrombocytopenia (low platelets), hypoalbuminemia (low albumin, a blood protein), and bilirubinuria (a pigment from breaking down red blood cells is found in the urine).
Signs of Babesia in Dogs
- Fever
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Pale gums and tongue
- Red or orange urine
- Jaundice (yellow tinge to the skin, gums, and whites of eyes)
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Enlarged spleen
Types
- Babesia canis – large piroplasms
- Babesia canis canis – reported in the U.S., Africa, Asia and Australia
- Babesia canis vogeli – most virulent, reported in Africa
- Babesia canis rossi – reported in Europe
- Babesia gibnosi – small piroplasms, reported worldwide
- Babesia conradae – small piroplasms, reported only in California
In severe cases, multiple organ systems may also be affected including the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and the nervous system. Sometimes dogs suffer a very acute form of Babesiosis and suddenly go into shock and collapse.
DIAGNOSIS
In the past, babesiosis was diagnosed by seeing the parasite on a blood smear.
Other diagnostic tests are becoming more readily available, including FA (fluorescent antibody) staining of the organism and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) tests. A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is also available and is commonly used to diagnose babesiosis. The PCR test has the advantage in that it can detect all four species of Babesia.
Serologic or antibody titer testing in the diagnosis of babesiosis has limitations. A positive test result is dependent on an antibody response by the infected dog, which may take up to ten days to develop. Once a dog has developed antibodies to babesiosis, they may persist for years and this must be considered when performing follow-up tests.
Microscopic examination (blood smear)
- Blood analysis ; CBC Thrombocytopenia is the most common feature regardless of the Babesia spp.
- ◗ Macrocytic anemia and autoagglutination are variable (not all animals are anemic).
- ◗ Leukogram is highly variable.-
- ◗Serum biochemistry profile: hyperglobulinemia, hyperbilirubinemia, increased liver enzyme activities, azotemia (B canis rossi, B gibsoni), and hypoalbuminemia.
- Urinalysis: bilirubinuria, hemoglobinuria, and proteinuria.
How is babesiosis treated?
Generally the treatment protocol ,we give as, diminazeneaceturate @ 3.5mg/kg deep IM repeated after a week, doxycycline @ 5 mg/kg BW orally for 14 days, single dose of tranexamic acid (5ml IM) and ivermectin (200µg/kg BW S/C), paracetamol (10 mg/BW I/M for 2 days).
Imidocarb dipropionate : For Therapeutic @1-2mg/kg S/C and for prophylactic @ 3mg/kg
Most dogs show response to treatment in 24–72 hours; however, it can take up to 7 days before results are apparent Imidocarb dipropionate (6.6 mg/kg IM once, repeat in 7–14 days) reduces morbidity and mortality in most cases of Babesia spp infection.
◗ Treatment of choice for B. canis vogeli but is ineffective for clearance of B. gibsoni and B. conradae.
◗ Pretreatment with atropine (0.02 mg/kg SC 30 minutes before Imidocarb) reduces cholinergic side effects (ie, salivation, lacrimation, vomiting, diarrhea, tachycardia, dyspnea). Diminazene aceturate (3.5–7 mg/kg SC or IM q1–2wk) is effective against B. canis but is unavailable in the United States.
◗ Not capable of clearing B. gibsoni or B. conradae infection. Treatment
- Atovaquone (13.3 mg/kg PO q8h) and azithromycin (10 mg/kg PO q24h) combination therapy has effectively cleared B. gibsoni and B. conradae infections.
◗ Atovaquone should be given as liquid suspension with a fatty meal to ensure adequate absorption.
- Clindamycin (25 mg/kg PO q12h), Metronidazole (15 mg/kg PO q12h), and doxycycline (5 mg/kg PO q12h) have been associated with clearance of B. gibsoni after administration for ~3 months, but true treatment efficacy is unknown.
◗ Clindamycin combination protocol in this study showed a rapid recovery rate than that of Diaminazine aceturate and such cases made uneventful recovery.
- Oxytetracycline @ 20 mg/kg body weight intravenously daily for three days followed by Doxycycline @ 5 mg/Kg orally for seven Dimenazine aceturate @ 5 mg/Kg I/M
NB-DO CONSULT YOUR VET FOR TREATMENT.
What is the prognosis for a dog diagnosed with babesiosis?
The prognosis for a dog diagnosed with babesiosis is guarded depending on what body systems are affected at the time of diagnosis. Owners should be aware that dogs that have survived babesiosis often remain sub-clinically infected. These dogs may suffer a relapse of disease in the future or may serve as a source for the further spread of disease in a given area. Dogs that have recovered from babesiosis should never be used as donors for blood transfusions because the recipients may develop the disease.
How to Prevent Babesia
Preventing exposure to the ticks that carry Babesia is the best means of preventing babesiosis. Check your dog daily for ticks and remove them as soon as possible (ticks must feed for at least 24 to 48 hours to spread Babesia). This is especially important in peak tick season or if your dog spends time in the woods or tall grass (consider avoiding these areas in tick season).
Products that prevent ticks such as monthly parasite preventatives tick collars (e.g., Preventic) can be used. Keep grass and brush trimmed in your yard. In areas where ticks are a serious problem, you can also consider treating the yard and kennel area for ticks.
Can humans get babesiosis?
Yes, humans can develop babesiosis. The most common species infecting humans is Babesia microti which is transmitted by the deer or black-legged tick.
https://www.germantownah.com/site/blog-memphis-vet/2020/10/14/symptoms-treatment-babesiosis-in-dogs
Reference-on request
