Babesia

What are babesia?

Babesia belong to the so-called protozoa, unicellular organisms that multiply in the blood. They penetrate the dog's red blood cells and destroy them from the inside. The result is life-threatening anemia. Babesia can also damage other organs such as the liver, kidneys or brain.

How do you recognize babesia?

The symptoms of babesiosis can vary greatly and depend on the type of babesia, the dog's immune system and the time of infection. Typical symptoms are

• fever
• fatigue
• loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Pale mucous membranes
• Jaundice
• Dark urine
• Enlarged spleen

In severe cases, bleeding, shock or neurological disorders may occur. However, some dogs show no or only mild symptoms and can still be carriers of babesia.

How can babesia be prevented?

The best prevention against babesia is effective tick protection. There are various products that you can regularly apply to your dog to protect it from tick bites. These include spot-ons, collars or tablets. Discuss with your vet which product is most suitable for your dog.

You should also check your dog thoroughly for ticks after every walk and remove them as quickly as possible. The longer a tick sucks, the greater the risk of it transmitting babesia. To do this, use special tick tweezers or a tick card and carefully twist the tick out. Avoid squeezing or tearing the tick, as this can introduce even more pathogens into the dog.

How do you treat babesiosis?

If you suspect that your dog has babesiosis, you should take him to the vet immediately. There, a blood test will be carried out to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of the disease. Treatment is carried out with a special medication that kills the babesia. In addition, infusion therapy may be necessary to stabilize the dog's fluid and electrolyte balance.

The prognosis of babesiosis depends on various factors, such as the age and health of the dog, the type of babesia and the time of treatment. The earlier babesiosis is recognized and treated, the better the chances of recovery. However, some dogs can remain carriers of babesia despite treatment and suffer a relapse.