Therapeutic management of hypothyrodism with concurrent babesiosis in a non-descript dog

A non-descript dog aged 4 years old was presented to the Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam with the history of fever for the past 3 days, black coloured soft stool, dark yellow urine, loss of hair on the back of the body, lethargy, itching, chronic obesity and irregular treatment with thyroxine. On clinical examination, temperature was found to be 104.6℉, congested visible mucous membrane, severe alopecia on the back particularly in the tail and neck region and hyperpigmentation, dry hair coat, presence of ticks, and lethargic. The body weight of the dog was 35.6 kilograms. Detailed haemato-biochemical examination revealed low haemoglobin, TEC, total thyroxine (TT4) and blood urea nitrogen. Peripheral blood smear examination was positive Babesia gibsoni. Based on clinical and haemato-biochemical examinations, and microscopy, the dog was diagnosed to be suffering from primary hypothyroidism with concurrent with babesia infection. The therapeutic approach adopted in this case (a) babesia infection was treated using Diminazine aceturate, metronidazole, doxycycline, clindamycin and other supportive drugs (b) primary hypothyroidism was managed using Thyroxine sodium. Supportives like iron supplements, antiemetics, acid blockers, essential fatty acids (Omega 3 Omega 6), Vitamin A supplement and B-complexes were given for approximately one month. Noticeable clinical improvement was seen along with improved haemato-biochemical parameters by day 30 post treatment and blood smear was negative for babesia organism and T4 level increased to 1.3 mcg/dl. Thyroxine sodium @ 250 mcg, orally once daily was advised to be continued lifelong with regular evaluation at 3 months interval. This work reports the successful management of hypothyroidism and babesiosis.