Haemato-biochemical changes in naturally occurring canine babesiosis in Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu

Canine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Babesia, with Babesia canis and Babesia gibsoni being the most common species. The disease is characterized by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and multiple organ dysfunction due to the destruction of red blood cells. A detailed study was conducted on 50 naturally occurring cases of canine babesiosis at the Small Animal Clinics, Teaching Veterinary Hospital, Orathanadu, focusing on clinical observations, including clinical history, physical examination, and hematobiochemical alterations. Blood samples were taken from the cephalic vein of the infected dogs. The diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms and the detection of Babesia organisms in Giemsa-stained thin blood smears, which was further confirmed by PCR. The affected dogs showed a significant reduction in Hb, TEC, and PCV levels, along with a notable increase in serum bilirubin, ALT, ALP, BUN, and creatinine levels. These hematobiochemical findings highlighted the severity of babesiosis in the dogs studied. This research delves into the pathophysiology of the disease and underscores the importance of various blood parameters in diagnosis and prognosis.