• SYSTEM(S) EFFECTED:
    		•  Circulatory and immune
  • CAUSE(S):
    		• Protozoal disease spread by ticks
  • DIAGNOSTICS:
    		• Moderate
  • PREVENTION:
    		• Yes

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Babesiosis is a protozoan disease that is spread by ticks. It is in the genus Babesia of protozoa, which includes one-celled organisms that are parasites of red blood cells. Babesiosis occurs worldwide, mostly in regions where the tick vectors are prevalent. This disease occurs most commonly in dogs, but occasionally is reported in cats. Young pets tend to become infected more often and with worse symptoms.

SOURCE & CAUSE(S)

Babesia is a genus of protozoa that is spread by tick bites. The two species of tick that are believed to spread this disease in dogs are Rhipicephalus sanguineus, or the Brown Dog Tick, and Dermacentor variabilis, or the American Dog Tick. The tick bites an infected animal and ingests the Babesia protozoa in the bloodmeal. It then releases from that animal and digests the bloodmeal, which is regurgitated into it’s next host as an anticoagulant. The protozoa then attaches and penetrates red blood cells, which your pet’s immune system will target and destroy.
 
Mothers can spread this disease to her unborn puppies, so infected females should not be bred. There is some evidence that Babesiosis can be spread through dogs biting other mammals.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS 

  • Pale tongue, gums, and nose due to severe deficiency of red blood cells
  • Fever greater than 105.8℉
  • Loss of appetite
  • Lethargy
  • Red or orange urine
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
Cats with this disease often show no symptoms, though they do have the protozoa present in their bodies.

This disease is sometimes associated with other tick-borne disease such as Lyme Disease, Canine Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, among others. This can make symptoms worse and complicate diagnosis.

DIAGNOSIS & TESTS

Diagnosis begins with a complete history and a physical exam. Your veterinarian will be most likely do the following:

  • History - Your veterinarian will likely inquire about recent tick exposure and bite history
  • CBC/Chemistry Panel - These blood tests will evaluate various internal organ functions, including the heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas, metabolism, and electrolyte balance. The CBC is a measure the amount and different kinds of red and white blood cells are present in your pet’s body.
  • Blood smear - This technique is used to examine the individual cells in your pet’s blood. Your veterinarian will use a drop of blood from your pet’s leg or neck on a slide and spread it thin in a slide. They will then examine the slide under a microscope in order to see the Babesia parasite.
  • Immunofluorescence - This is a technique used to illuminate a pathogen or antibodies to a pathogen in a tissue or culture using a fluorescent dye. In this case, your veterinarian will make a tissue or cell smear and expose it to a specific antibody for Babesiosis. The dye will attach to any Babesia antibody displayed in the sample and show under a microscope as a bright green spot on the slide.  

TREATMENT & MANAGEMENT

Your veterinarian will likely treat this disease depending on which Babesia species your pet has. The most common species, B. canis, is usually treated with an anti-protozoal drug like Imidocarb. The less common species, B. gibsoni, is more difficult to treat and usually requires a combination of drugs. Other antimicrobial drugs may also be used to treat this condition.
Pets infected with this disease are often lifetime carriers able to infect ticks even after symptoms have gone away. Symptoms may recur if your pet becomes stressed and it’s immune system allows the protozoa to get out of control again.

PREVENTION & HELPFUL TIPS

For unknown reasons, greyhound and pit bull dog breeds are most susceptible to this disease. Any blood donor dog should be tested for Babesiosis before transferring their blood into another dog.

Babesiosis may be prevented by reducing the number of ticks that bite your dog. This may be achieved by:

  • Regular use of a flea preventatives that protect against ticks as well
  • Avoid environments frequented by ticks (especially between May and August, though ticks can be active in any temperature above 32℉) and check your pet for ticks after they go outside

Proper removal of ticks

Removing ticks within 24 hours of exposure can greatly reduce the chance of your pet getting Lyme Disease. Ticks do, however, carry many other pathogens and frequent checks and proper removal are crucial to the prevention of disease. If the ticks stay on your pet long enough to get a full bloodmeal, they will often release themselves and fall off your pet unnoticed.

 Use fine point tweezers to remove the tick at the mouthparts or as close to the skin as possible. Tricks like using vaseline, alcohol, or a match will not cause the tick to back out and may even cause it to regurgitate more bacteria into your pet. Make sure you pull the mouthparts out slowly and steadily. If you do not remove the head of the tick, he can continue to regurgitate fluid into your pet, potentially transmitting the bacteria causing Lyme Disease. Disinfect the wound on your pet. A triple antibiotic ointment may help the wound heal faster. After removal, be sure you kill the tick by putting it in a jar of alcohol (this may also help with identification, if need later). Flushing the tick down the toilet will not kill it. Because you likely removed it before it had a full meal, the tick will usually look for another host to feed on, and if it’s a carrier, it can transmit the bacteria to others.


Written by: PetsMD Veterinary Editorial Staff