Haemato-biochemical changes in dogs infected with Babesia sp.

Abstract

Canine babesiosis is an important and potentially life-threatening disease in India, caused by B. canis or B. gibsoni. In the present study the hemato-biochemical changes were observed in canine babesiosis. Twenty dogs positive for babesiosis, were selected for the study. Diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical signs and demonstration of Babesia organism in Giemsa-stained blood smears. The clinical signs were recorded and blood samples were subjected to estimation of hemato-biochemical parameters. The clinical cases were manifested by wide variety of non-specific clinical signs. The haematological evaluation revealed that the mean values of haemoglobin and total erythrocyte counts in dogs with babesiosis decreased significantly in comparison to healthy dogs. Among differential leukocyte count, mean values of neutrophils and eosinophils increased while lymphocytes decreased in dogs with babesiosis in comparison to healthy dogs. Serum biochemistry revealed increase value of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase as well as decrease in albumin and glucose levels in dogs with babesiosis as compared to healthy dogs.