Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fatal Babesia vulpes infection in a dog without a spleen
By Maria Sophia Unterköfler et al.·Published in Parasitologia·2023·Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Case Report of a Fatal <i>Babesia vulpes</i> Infection in a Splenectomised Dog
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog that had been living in Germany for three years developed serious health issues after undergoing surgery to remove its spleen due to a twisted spleen. The dog showed worsening symptoms and was found to have a blood infection caused by a parasite called Babesia vulpes, which is usually found in foxes. Despite treatment with several medications, the dog's condition continued to decline, leading to euthanasia. This case highlights the importance of screening imported dogs for infections and the potential complications that can arise after spleen removal.
People also search for: dog Babesia infection treatment · splenectomy complications in dogs · imported dog health risks
Abstract
<i>Babesia vulpes</i> is a small <i>Babesia</i> prevalent in foxes in Europe and mainly clinically affects dogs in north-western Spain. A dog imported from this region that had been living in Germany for three years developed splenic torsion. After splenectomy, the dog underwent immunosuppressive therapy because of autoimmune disease due to haemotrophic <i>Mycoplasma</i> sp. infection. As clinical signs worsened, small <i>Babesia</i> were detected in a blood smear and identified as <i>B. vulpes</i> by molecular analysis. Anaemia, thrombocytosis, elevated liver enzymes, and renal parameters were the most significant findings in blood analysis. The dog was treated with a combination of atovaquone (20 mg/kg BW, BID), proguanil hydrochloride (8 mg/kg BW, BID) and azithromycin (10 mg/kg BW, SID), which led to an increase in the cycle threshold in real-time PCR and the absence of <i>B. vulpes</i> in the blood smear. However, after clinical signs deteriorated, the dog was euthanised. This case report supports the recommendation to screen imported dogs for pathogens and highlights the impact of splenectomy on the course of infection.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia3010008