You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

With travel passports allowing increased movement of animals between the UK and mainland Europe exotic diseases are being contracted by animals "on holiday". Deaths due to babesiosis have already been reported in dogs returning from trips to Southern Europe. Early recognition and treatment of infected cases may improve survival rates.

Babesia is an intracellular parasite which is transmitted by ticks and can cause serious haemolytic disease in dogs and cats.

Clinical signs in infected dogs include :

• Hyperacute infection (within 24 hours of infection)
  • Anaemia and hypoxia
  • Anorexia 
  • Lethargy
  • Haematuria
  • Shock
  • Sudden death
• Acute form
  • Anaemia - including thrombocytopenia
  • Anorexia
  • Dehydration
  • Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) - uncommon
  • Haemoglobinuria
  • High temperature
  • Jaundice
  • Lethargy
  • Lymphadenopathy
  • Neurological signs (uncommon) - ataxia, cerebellar signs, seizures, weakness, vestibular signs
  • Oedema - facial, limb or scrotal (uncommon)
  • Petechial haemorrhages of mucosa (uncommon)
  • Pulmonary oedema (uncommon)
  • Renal failure (uncommon)
  • Splenomegaly
  • Stomatitis (uncommon)
  • Vomiting
• Chronic form
  • High temperature
  • Inappetence
  • Weight loss
• Subclinical form
  • Show no signs but have evidence of infection on serology screening tests

Clinical signs in infected cats (Babesia that infect cats are only found in Africa and Asia)  include :

• Anaemia
• Anorexia
• Diarrhoea
• Exercise intolerance
• Lethargy
• Poor body coat condition
• Weakness
• Death

Diagnosis is confirmed by immunodiagnostics.

Treatment relies on supportive therapy and bebesiacidal drugs including :

• Clindamycin
• Doxycycline
• Diminazene aceturate
• Imidocarb  diproprionate
• Metronidazole
• Phenamidine isethionate
• Pentamidine isethionate
• Quinuronium sulfate
• Trypan blue - mild cases

Cats

• Primaquine phosphate

Many of these products are not licensed for veterinary use, and published accounts of their efficacy in canine and feline babesiosis are limited. So, veterinarians wishing to treat infected animals are advised to refer to their local Formulary for details of available products. Further information can be obtained from standard texts on the subject including :

Updated January 2016