| Babesiosis, also called piroplasmosis, is a type of | | | | provides a clear diagnosis, but in the absence of |
| anemia caused by parasites that can be transmitted | | | | visible pathogens, other tests such as |
| to dogs or cats by ticks. It can also be transmitted | | | | immunofluorescence and PCR analysis can be used. |
| by direct blood contact, such as when dogs fight | | | | You veterinarian will likely consider the possibility that |
| with each other, and it can be transmitted from a | | | | infected animals may also be infected with other |
| mother to pups or kittens. Anemia, or a shortage of | | | | tick-borne diseases at the same time and will arrange |
| red blood cells, leads to other symptoms such as | | | | appropriate treatment.Treatment of babesiosis can |
| fever, low energy levels, and in severe cases, shock | | | | be successful if the disease is caught early. Imidocarb |
| and death. If your cat or dog develops intermittent | | | | dipropionate is the most commonly used and |
| fever, anorexia, or loses energy rapidly, and especially | | | | successful medicine for babesiosis, but in some |
| if you live in an area where ticks are common, you | | | | countries diminazene aceturate is also used. |
| should consider the possibility that your pet has | | | | Combination therapy with atovaquone and |
| babesiosis.The disease is spread to dogs by two | | | | azithromycin is sometimes useful when an infection |
| different species of ticks and to cats by several | | | | has become chronic or fails to respond to the first |
| species. It is found in North and South American as | | | | treatment provided. In extremely serious cases, |
| well as Africa and Asia. Young dogs and cats are | | | | blood transfusion can be helpful. Although they are |
| more likely to be infected than older animals, since | | | | not available in the United States, in some countries |
| some immunity can develop as cats and dogs | | | | vaccines are used to prevent babesiosis.Tick control |
| mature. However, infections in older animals are more | | | | is very important, not only to prevent babesiosis, but |
| likely to be fatal. The most severe cases tend to | | | | also to prevent other diseases that can be spread by |
| occur in uninfected older animals who are brought | | | | ticks. Dogs and cats who live in tick-infested areas |
| into an area in which the disease occurs after living in | | | | and are allowed to be outside should be checked |
| a disease-free area previously. Babesiosis is especially | | | | daily for ticks. Topical treatments are available for |
| common in Pit Bull terriers and in any dogs or cats | | | | both dogs and cats that can be used to reduce tick |
| with a history of fighting.Your veterinarian can | | | | bites, and in severely infested areas, spraying the |
| diagnose babesiosis with a blood test, but it can be | | | | outdoor areas frequented by your pets can help |
| hard to detect during certain stages of its | | | | reduce exposure to ticks. Like most diseases, |
| development. Actually seeing the disease-causing | | | | preventing babesiosis is better than treating it. |
| protozoans in a smear of blood under a microscope | | | | |