Update on the Complications and Management of Canine Babesiosis

Babesia canis and B. gibsoni are responsible for canine babesiosis throughout the world. Babesia canis consists of a group of three biologically different subspecies, namely B. c. canis, B. c. vogeli, and B. c. rossi. Babesia gibsoni is subdivided into 2 subspecies: the North American and Asian subspecies. Babesia c. canis is found in Europe, B. c. vogeli in northern Africa, North America and South Africa and B. c. rossi in southern Africa. The pear-shaped trophozoite of B. canis measures 4-5 μm long and is usually found in pairs within the erythrocyte, but up to eight or more may be present. In comparison, B. gibsoni is much smaller; is round to oval in shape; measures 3 μm long; and is found in Asia, Australia, North America and northern and eastern Africa. The more commonly encountered complications of canine babesiosis are acute renal failure, cerebral babesiosis, coagulopathy, icterus and hepatopathy, immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA), peracute babesiosis, ARDS, haemoconcentration, hypotension, myocardial pathology, pancreatitis, and shock. Rare complications include gastrointestinal disturbances, myalagia, ocular involvement, upper respiratory signs, necrosis of the extremities, fl uid accumulation, and chronic disease. Different complications can overlap. The more recently reported complications: hypotension, myocardial changes, pancreatitis, hypoglycaemia, acid-base changes, and multiple organ dysfunction, will be discussed in this paper.