Piroplasmosis (babesiosis)
Piroplasmosis, or babesiosis, is a potentially fatal disease transmitted by ticks that, in Switzerland, infects only dogs. It is parasitic in origin and its mechanism is somewhat similar to that of human malaria. The disease can take a chronic or an acute form.
Species affected: dogs
It does not infect cats (except in Africa and South Asia), and to date no case of piroplasmosis has been described in ferrets or in any other exotic pet.
Infective ticks: Dermacentor reticulatus or Rhipicephalus sanguineus.
Ixodes ricinus, which is common in our part of the world, does not transmit piroplasmosis.
Dermacentor and Rhipicephalus can turn up in the Lake Geneva basin, but mainly around the Mediterranean. These ticks have gradually settled into our region after being brought in by dogs returning from their travels.
Infection: Babesia canis, a protozoan, carried by its vector the tick
Babesia gibsoni is found more in Africa and Asia.
The protozoan’s cycle passes through the tick, in which the parasite continues to develop. Then, as it feeds, the female tick injects the infective form of the parasite into the dog’s blood through its saliva. The parasite settles in the red blood cells, multiplies inside them and bursts them open — hence the haemolytic anaemia. This infection can only take place 48 hours after the tick has attached to the dog.
Possible symptoms:
Anaemia, lethargy, fever, brown — and sometimes green or red — urine, vomiting, breathlessness, loss of appetite and weight.
Diagnostic tools: Blood tests: a blood smear and serology
Other blood and urine values make it possible to gauge the dog’s clinical condition and, where necessary, to fine-tune the treatment.
Treatment: A piroplasmicide
These come as one or two injections. They are powerful medicines that can cause significant side effects.
Additional supportive care (a drip, anti-sickness medication and so on) may be needed.
Prognosis: Good if treated quickly
Be aware, though, that the dog may remain a carrier or even relapse.
Prevention: Effective anti-tick products!
Prompt removal of any ticks from the dog