Veterinary Research Forum
Vet Res Forum

Babesia canis caused clinical babesiosis in a female Shih Tzu dog

Document Type : Clinical Report

Authors

Vahid Fathipour 1
Bijan Esmaeilnejad 2
Gholamreza Habibi 3
Asghar Afshari 2, 3
Mousa Tavassoli 2
Siyamak Asri-Rezaei 4
Mahmood Mollazadeh 5
Sepideh Rajabi 6

1 Private Veterinary Clinical Pathologist, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

3 Department of Parasite Vaccine Research and Production, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agriculture Research, Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran

4 Dept of Internal diseases and clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.

5 Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

6 Private Veterinary Practitioner, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2021.141471.3113
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.

Keywords

Anemia
Babesia canis
Dog
Iran
Shih Tzu
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Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 12, Issue 4
Autumn 2021
Pages 519-522

  • Receive Date 25 November 2020
  • Revise Date 11 February 2021
  • Accept Date 01 March 2021

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