Clinical manifestations of canine babesiosis and their association with hematological findings and outcome of disease

Abstract

Canine babesiosis, a protozoan tick-borne disease caused by Babesia canis, has become an important health concern worldwide. The parasite invades and lyses erythrocytes, leading to haemolytic anaemia. Because of its nonspecific clinical presentation, diagnosis remains challenging [1]. The aim of this study to characterise the most common clinical and haematological findings in dogs naturally infected with B. canis. Forty-seven dogs with babesiosis confirmed by blood smear microscopy were retrospectively analysed. Clinical signs, haematological, and biochemical parameters were evaluated. The predominant clinical signs included lethargy (100%), anorexia (87.2%), fever (51.1%), pale mucous membranes (42.6%), vomiting (34%), and diarrhoea (17%). Thrombocytopenia was the most frequent haematological abnormality, observed in 97.9% of dogs (mean platelet count 45.3 ± 50.5 K/µL). Lymphopenia (68.1%) and anaemia (66%) were also common. Decreases in erythrocyte count, haematocrit, and haemoglobin, together with elevations in creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), were significantly associated with poor outcomes (p < 0.05). More severe clinical signs were positively correlated with an increased likelihood of unfavourable prognosis (p < 0.05). Mortality was 2.1%, while 12.8% of dogs were euthanised. B. canis infection in dogs is most often characterised by lethargy, anorexia, and fever, accompanied by thrombocytopenia, anaemia, and lymphopenia. Elevated renal parameters are linked to more severe disease and poorer prognosis.