Clinical, haematological and therapeutic studies on babesiosis in Arabian horses in the qassim region, central of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study was carried out in the Qassim region, central of Saudi Arabia to determine the clinical, haematological and therapeutic impact of babesiosis caused by Babesia caballi in Arabian horses. The clinical signs in infected horses were pyrexia (40.5–41.5°C), depression, pale or icteric mucous membranes and emaciation. Haematological examination revealed significant decrease in erythrocyte, thrombocyte counts and haemoglobin concentration in infected horses compared with controls. Treatment with imidocarb dipropionate was 100% effective in eliminating the parasites from the blood and led to an improvement in the clinical state. In conclusion, babesiosis should be suspected in any horses showing signs of anaemia or jaundice and severe body weight loss in addition to the presence of ticks. Bloody urine which is a characteristic feature of babesiosis in other animals is not common in Arabian horses. Moreover, treatment using imidocarb dipropionate in conjunction with hematinics and fluid therapy should be applied for treatment of equine babesiosis.