Abstract

A total of 2,345 dogs suspected for babesiosis presented to District Veterinary Centre, Kannur were screened for detection of intraerythrocytic piroplasm of Babesia species by light microscopic examination of Giemsa stained blood smears, during  the period from November 2018 to December 2019. Haematology was performed using automated analyzer to ascertain the impact of the disease in affected animals. Statistical analysis of haematological parameters of different groups based on degree of parasitaemia was also performed. This communication places on record – an overall prevalence of 14.5% babesiosis with a predominance of Babesia gibsoni infection (13.9%) with two notable seasonal peaks (pre-monsoon and post-monsoon). Most significant haematological abnormality associated with B. gibsoni infection was anaemia and thrombocytopenia. In addition, neutropenia and lymphocytosis were also recorded in affected dogs. The typical blood picture findings revealed variable degree of regenerative anaemia with polychromasia, macrocytes, anisocytosis, nucleated RBCs(metarubricytes & rubricytes ), Howell-Jolly bodies and moderate to severe thrombo cytopenia along with macroplatelets and platelet aggregation.
 

Keywords : Babesia gibsoni, B.canis, Dogs, Kerala, Prevalence