Babesiosis (pyroplasmosis)

Babesiosis (also known as pyroplasmosis) is a vector-borne blood-borne disease. This is an infection with intracellular parasites - babesia, which enter the dog's bloodstream when a tick bites with its saliva.
The ticks themselves are found mainly in the grass, not only in forest areas, but also in city parks and squares.
Babesiosis is considered a seasonal disease. After warming, ticks become more active, but infection can occur at any time of the year.

Babesia is dangerous because it infects and destroys red blood cells. The main function of red blood cells is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. Anemia occurs (insufficient number of red blood cells in the blood), and vital organs, especially the kidneys and liver, are affected

The incubation period from the moment of the bite to the onset of the first clinical symptoms lasts from several days to two weeks.

The first symptoms of babesiosis are as follows

• - significantly reduced or absent appetite
• - weakness
• - sometimes vomiting, diarrhea,
• - fever up to 40° and above
• - weakness of the hind limbs

In more severe cases

• - concentrated color of urine, up to red-brown
• - pale or yellow mucous membranes
• - shortness of breath
• - severe general condition

Diagnostics of babesiosis includes:

• - a smear for babesiosis from the peripheral capillary vessels of the auricle in our laboratory, the result is obtained in 10 minutes
• - PCR test for babesiosis (more often used to diagnose chronic babesiosis
• - presence of clinical signs.

Babesiosis is treated depending on the severity of the disease.
In the early stages of the disease, outpatient treatment is often sufficient. Which can take several days
After confirming the diagnosis, the animal is administered antiprotozoal and symptomatic drugs. The doctor monitors the course of the disease and the early prevention of complications through blood tests.

In severe cases, inpatient treatment in an intensive care unit may be required, and sometimes a transfusion of whole blood or red blood cells.

Treatment at home is not provided.

Prevention of babesiosis includes regular treatment of dogs with drugs to protect them from ticks. Treatment should be started in advance, before the temperature warms up, and preferably all year round.

To protect your dog, you can use drops on the withers - drops on the withers start working after 12 hours and continue to work for 28 days or oral tablets, tablets are especially suitable for dogs that bathe regularly. The advantage of tablets is that they start working in 2 hours. It is necessary to strictly follow the instructions for the drug and select drugs strictly according to the weight of the dog.

It is better to combine the main treatment with antiparasitic collars (usually they start working in a week or aerosols work almost immediately, but not for long. The dog should be checked every day for ticks on the body.

If you notice a tick on your dog's body, you need to remove it properly - twist it clockwise or counterclockwise. It is better to use special tweezers that are sold in veterinary clinics and pet stores.

When you have removed the tick, check that it is completely removed. Treat the bite site with an antiseptic (e.g. chlorhexidine) as a local reaction may occur.
Be sure to consult a doctor!