Analysis of Clinical Cases of Canine Babesiosis in Saint Petersburg

Introduction. The cases of clinical manifestation of canine babesiosis in St. Petersburg have been presented in the article. The cases of babesiosis in dogs caused by parasitizing Babesia canis and B. gibsoni have been described, including the local cases of animals infected with B. canis.

Materials and Methods. Out of 12 dogs admitted to veterinary clinics in St. Petersburg from April to October 2023, 10 were diagnosed with babesiosis caused by Вabesia canis, and 2 – by B. gibsoni.

Results. The clinical picture of babesiosis caused by parasitizing B. canis and B. gibsoni was similar. Two cases of babesiosis caused by B. gibsoni were studied. Four locally acquired cases of babesiosis in dogs were diagnosed in St. Petersburg. The clinical signs in animals varied from fever and rapidly developing multiple organ dysfunction syndrome to recurrent and long-lasting anemias of unknown etiology. The biochemical blood test had revealed the elevated level of ALT, AST, creatinine, urea, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and reduced level of total protein. By means of the clinical analysis, the hyperchromic anemia, neutrophilic leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were determined. The decisive factor in diagnosing was species-specific identification by using the real-time PCR method of fluorescence hybridization detection.

Discussion and Conclusion. The clinical picture observed in dogs infected with B. canis and B. gibsoni is similar. The course of babesiosis caused by B. gibsoni can be acute or chronic. Regardless of the region of Russia, during the period of Ixodid ticks activity, whenever the signs of fever and rapidly developing multiple organ dysfunction syndrome or recurring and long-lasting anemias of unknown etiology are observed in dogs, the PCR assay for detecting pathogen DNA of Babesia, including B. gibsoni, should be done. Timely PCR diagnostics not only allows for accurate diagnosis of babesiosis but also enables monitoring the efficacy of therapy since a single treatment course may not always be efficient. For babesiosis caused by B. canis, the use of drugs containing imidocarb dipropionate proved to be efficient, whereas for B. gibsoni — the ones containing diminazene diaceturate. In cases of multisystemic intoxication caused by canine babesiosis, the plasmapheresis helps to stabilize the overall condition of an animal.

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