Babesiosis: The Hidden Danger

Babesiosis is a tick-borne infection caused by a protozoan parasite – Babesia.

Babesia invades the red blood cells, causing anaemia. Babesia species are found all over the world.

Clinical picture: Dogs usually present with the acute, severe form of babesiosis, characterised by findings such as unusually dark urine, fever, weakness, pale mucous membranes and depression.

Babesiosis is spread mainly through the bite of an infected tick.

The prognosis depends on the severity of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Dogs that survive babesiosis often remain subclinically infected.

The only means of prevention is parasite control with anti-tick products.