Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Azotemia raises death risk in dogs with Babesia microti-like infection
By Camacho, A Tomas et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2004·Laboratorio Lema & Bandí, Spain·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Azotemia and mortality among Babesia microti-like infected dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs in northwest Spain became seriously ill after being infected with a type of parasite called Babesia microti-like. Many of these dogs showed signs of kidney problems (azotemia) and severe anemia, which put them at a much higher risk of dying within a week of diagnosis. In fact, about 36% of the infected dogs were already experiencing kidney issues when they were diagnosed, and those with these problems were ten times more likely to die shortly after. The study highlighted the importance of recognizing this infection early, especially in older dogs, to improve their chances of recovery.
People also search for: dog kidney problems Babesia infection · symptoms of Babesia in dogs · treatment for dog anemia
Abstract
Babesia microti-like piroplasms are a recently recognized cause of illness in dogs in northwest Spain. Our objective was to describe the clinical characteristics and investigate the risk factors for azotemia and death among 58 B microti-like infected dogs. Twenty-one of the 58 (36%) dogs were azotemic at the time that the infection was diagnosed. The case fatality rate during the following week was 22%. Dogs with azotemia at the time of diagnosis were 10 times (95% CI, 3.26-28.8) more likely to die during the following week. Azotemia was the main cause of death for B microti-like infected dogs (attributable fraction = 90%). Severe anemia was present in 45 of the 58 (78%) dogs. Azotemic dogs also presented with hyperphosphatemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypercholesterolemia, proteinuria, and high urine protein: creatinine ratios, suggesting a glomerular component to the disease. Age was the only factor significantly associated with the risk of azotemia (P = .042): on average, a 4-year age increase doubled the risk of an infected dog being azotemic. The only factor significantly associated with mortality was azotemia (P = .001). We concluded that B microti-like infection is associated with a high risk of azotemia and mortality.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15058762/