Babesiosis is an infectious disease caused by a Protozoan (unicellular organism) called babesia intraeritrocitico (which is hosted inside the erythrocyte or red blood cell) reason by which the disease is a hemoparasitosis.
The dog has this infection (caused by Babesia gibsoni and Babesia canis) much more often than the cat. Is considered an emerging zoonosis since in the last two decades of this century, in temperate zones, the incidence of human babesiosis has increased. There is a species of babesia from humans who are infected with specific babesias pets or wild rodents.
Transmission occurs by the bite of ticks, although there are other vectors as the fly bite and secretions from animals, which can transfer a carrier infecting a susceptible animal blood and be involved in the transmission of these parasites.
The clinical picture varies from percussion caps boxes (sharps) to mild, even limiting, so the disease is often go unnoticed, and on many occasions, even diagnosed.
* Anemia (decrease of circulating red blood cells or red blood cells)
* Jaundice (abnormal yellow discoloration of the skin),
** Weight loss
* Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly (large spleen andliver )
** Others (signs breathing, shortness of breath, vomitings, diarrhea, signs of coagulopathy, CID, lumbar pain and sign neurological s of the CNS such as seizures and ataxia).
In the acute form, the symptom mentioned s suddenly evolve towards death. In the subacute or chronic form, it can be reached the cure provided that undergo adequate therapy dog.
The diagnosis is done through a blood test that can identify the parasites red blood cells inside: blood smear (extensions of blood stained with Giemsa). Serological studies can also be used as a diagnostic tool.
The treatment of choice today is to treat the parasitic disease with specific antiparasitics (Diminazeno Aceturato and Imidocarb dipropionate) and a correct support therapy.
Strict control of ticks in the environment where it inhabits both the dog and rodent control is recommended as prophylaxis of the disease .