Abstract

Babesiosis is one of the most important tick-borne intra erythrocytic haemoprotzoal diseases in dogs caused by Babesia gibsoni (small Babesia) and Babesia canis (large Babesia) which produces haemolytic anaemia. A two-year-old male Rottweiler was presented to the hospital with history of inappetance and weakness. Clinical examination revealed pale mucous membrane, fever and lymphadenopathy. Peripheral blood smear examination revealed intra erythrocytic Babesia gibsoni infection. Complete blood count examination revealed anaemia and thrombocytopaenia. Initially treated with diminazine aceturate at 3.5 mg/kg BW IM showed poor response and the patient was re-presented to the hospital after four days with severe anaemia and fever. Buparvaquone was given intramuscularly at the dose rate of 3 mg/kg BW IM followed by Inj. clindamycin at 11 mg/kg BW IV OD for three days and followed by oral clindamycin tab @ 25 mg/kg BW OD for 14 days. As the recorded PCV was only 6.2 per cent whole blood transfusion was performed on the same day itself. Clinical improvement was noticed on the third day itself with increased food intake and activity. Blood smear examination on the 10^th day revealed absence of B. gibsoni organisms with the rise in PCV to 22.5 per cent. The dog was given oral haematinics for 10 more days and further no relapse of the condition was noticed by the owner. Further treatment was not advised since the blood values and clinical condition of the animal was satisfactory

Keywords : Canine babesiosis, Buparvaquone-clindamycin combination, Whole blood transfusion