Clinical management of canine babesiosis

Abstract

Prognosis depends on the severity of disease, which in turn depends on both organism and host factors. Clinical syndromes associated with a poorer prognosis include red biliary syndrome, acute renal failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, neurologic dysfunction, acute pancreatitis, cardiac dysfunction, and hypoglycemia.

Severe Anemia Caused by Babesiosis in a Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)

“…The current diagnostic method of choice for both diagnosis and speciation of Babesia is PCR testing. 1,8 In the present case, morphologic appearance on the blood film and PCR seemed contradictory. Based upon the small size and signet-ring shape of the intraerythrocytic parasite seen on blood smear, it was thought that a small Babesia species (such as B. gibsoni) was the causative agent.…”

“…There currently are 4 species of Babesia that are known to infect canids within North America: B. canis, Babesia gibsoni, Babesia conradae, and a yet unnamed North Carolina Babesia species. 1,8 To the authors' knowledge, this is the first documented case of canine babesiosis in a captive maned wolf in North America. Babesiosis has previously been found in captive maned wolves in South America 5 and in other canid species, such as the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), and has been experimentally induced in coyotes (Canis latrans).…”

“…Uncomplicated babesiosis cases may have any of the previous abnormalities, whereas, complicated babesiosis may result in secondary systemic effects, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, neurologic, and coagulopathic dysfunction. 1 One study found that central nervous system involvement in canine Babesia canis rossi cases in South Africa increased the risk of death by 57 times. 9 In this particular case, we suspect that the maned wolf had a complicated form of babesiosis as evidenced by her neurologic signs, hepatopathy, and renal abnormalities.…”

“…2,6 Captive populations of maned wolves are at risk for acquisition of the same infectious diseases from other canid species within zoo collections and from domestic dogs that may live in proximity to zoologic institutions. Canine babesiosis caused by various species of the genus Babesia has been on the rise in North America within the past 2 decades 1 and should be considered a disease of potential concern in captive maned wolves.…”

“…The intraerythrocytic protozoa leads to erythrocyte destruction by two mechanisms: erythrocyte fragility is increased, predisposing the cell to lysis, and antibody deposition on the surface of the infected erythrocytes targets the cells for destruction by the immune system. 1 Babesia infections may be subclinical, acute, or chronic in nature. 8 Clinical signs of babesiosis are variable, depending on the particular Babesia species and the nature of the infection.…”