Fatal Babesia canis canis infection in a splenectomized Estonian dog. Issue 1 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tiškina, Valentina; Capligina, Valentina; Must, Külli; Berzina, Inese; Ranka, Renate; Jokelainen, Pikka
• Is Part Of: Acta veterinaria scandinavica. Volume 58:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 6
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Blood smear -- Canine babesiosis -- Europe -- Splenectomy; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1186/s13028-016-0189-4
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-0147

Abstract

Abstract A previously splenectomized dog from Estonia was presented with a sudden lack of appetite and discoloration of the urine. Despite supportive therapy, its condition deteriorated dramatically during 1 day. Severe thrombocytopenia and high numbers of protozoan hemoparasites were evident in blood smears, and the hematocrit dropped from 46 to 33 %. The dog was euthanized before specific antibabesial treatment was initiated. Blood samples from the dog and from two other dogs in the same household tested positive forBabesia using molecular methods, and the sequences of partial 18S rRNA gene confirmed the causative species asBabesia canis canis . The risk of severe, rapidly progressing babesiosis in splenectomized dogs merits awareness.