Clinical, haematological and therapeutic studies on babesiosis in Arabian horses in the Qassim region, central of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study was carried out in the Qassim region, central of Saudi Arabia to determine the clinical, haematological and therapeutic impact of babesiosis caused by Babesia caballi in Arabian horses. The clinical signs in infected horses were pyrexia (40.5-41.5°C), depression, pale or icteric mucous membranes and emaciation. Haematological examination revealed significant decrease in erythrocyte, thrombocyte counts and haemoglobin concentration in infected horses compared with controls. Treatment with imidocarb dipropionate was 100% effective in eliminating the parasites from the blood and led to an improvement in the clinical state. In conclusion, babesiosis should be suspected in any horses showing signs of anaemia or jaundice and severe body weight loss in addition to the presence of ticks. Bloody urine which is a characteristic feature of babesiosis in other animals is not common in Arabian horses. Moreover, treatment using imidocarb dipropionate in conjunction with hematinics and fluid therapy should be applied for treatment of equine babesiosis.

A Review on Equine Piroplasmosis: Epidemiology, Vector Ecology, Risk Factors, Host Immunity, Diagnosis and Control

“…The erythrocytic indices (Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (Hb). and Red Blood Cells (RBC) counts) in most of the studies following natural infection were found to decrease in infected animals compared with uninfected animals in both horses and donkeys [44,46]. Erythrocytic parameters such as Mean Capsular Volume (MCV), Mean Capsular Haeemoglobin (MCH).…”

“…Erythrocytic parameters such as Mean Capsular Volume (MCV), Mean Capsular Haeemoglobin (MCH). and Mean Capsular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) were variable with notable increases in the concentration of MCH and MCHC in most of the studies [44,46]. Thrombocytopenia has been observed in several studies of clinical EP [47,48].…”

Histological, cytogenetic and endocrine evaluation in twenty-five unilateral cryptorchid horses

“…To determine plasmatic levels of testosterone, blood samples of cryptorchid horses were collected by left jugular into heparinized vacutainer ® (BD, Madrid, Spain) tubes under standard protocol (Osman 2017). Two samples were taken (at 9.00-10.00 am and 4.00-6.00 pm) from each horse.…”