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