Results
Title

Babesia canis caused clinical babesiosis in a female Shih Tzu dog.

Authors

Fathipour, Vahid; Esmaeilnejad, Bijan; Habibi, Gholamreza; Afshari, Asghar; Tavassoli, Mousa; Asri-Rezaei, Siamak; Mollazadeh, Mahmood; Rajabi, Sepideh

Abstract

A 2-year-old female Shih Tzu dog was submitted with the history of anorexia and depression for one week and no prior surgery. Fever and pale mucosa were noticed in physical examination. Microscopic examination of the Giemsa-stained blood smear disclosed large form of Babesia and single to four pear-shaped merozoites within erythrocytes (RBCs). Regenerative anemia characterized by a marked reticulocytosis, significant intra-vascular hemolysis, nucleated RBCs, left-shifted neutrophils, thrombocytopenia, azotemia, high serum creatinine and urea concentrations were recorded following hemato-biochemical analysis. Abundant bilirubin crystals and abnormal reddish color after centrifugation were observed in urinalysis. Molecular analysis was performed using specific primers for detection of Babesia canis. Diminazene aceturate, ciprofloxacin, ivermectin and phosphorus-vitamin B12 were prescribed and the clinical signs improved after four days. Two months follow-up showed no recurrence. Such studies would significantly contribute to the development of appropriate preventive strategies and successful treatment. This communication reports a clinical case of canine babesiosis caused by B. canis in a female Shih Tzu dog.

Subjects

SHIH tzu; BABESIOSIS diagnosis; BABESIA canis; MEROZOITES; THROMBOCYTOPENIA; DIMINAZENE aceturate

Publication

Veterinary Research Forum, 2021, Vol 12, Issue 4, p519

ISSN

2008-8140

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.30466/vrf.2021.141471.3113