A clinico-pathological study of Babesia canis infection in dogs

Abstract

This thesis presents a broad survey of all important aspects of Babesia canis infection in dogs. In view of its diverse symptomatology the disease has been comprehensively investigated with particular emphasis on the effects of the infection on the liver, the kidneys and the haematology since these have been found to have a important influence on clinical events and on the type of supportive treatment to be instituted. For experimental material major use was made of a large number field cases presented for diagnosis and treatment at the Outpatient Clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Science at Onderstepoort. These were clinically assessed as belonging to one or other of three categories of severity and suitable specimens collected for laboratory evaluation. In a few instances dogs were artificially infected to clarify certain points but were on account of the artificiality of conditions not regarded as the best clinical material. It was found that infected dogs could die from various causes: medical shock in peracute cases (particularly young dogs), liver failure, kidney failure, heart failure and occasionally pulmonary failure. Different combinations of these could be operative, and they could play an important part in morbidity and mortality even after elimination of parasites by appropriate specific chemotherapy. The better understanding thus gained is designed to serve as a guide to what clinico-pathological examinations are required and thence to life-saving supportive treatment.