Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Electrolyte and blood pH changes in dogs with early Babesia canis
By Adaszek, Łukasz et al.·Published in Berliner und Munchener tierarztliche Wochenschrift·2012·Department of Epizootiology and Infectious Diseases Clinic·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Electrolyte level and blood pH in dogs infected by various 18S RNA strains of Babaesia canis canis on the early stage of babesiosis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 40 dogs with early-stage babesiosis, caused by the Babesia canis parasite, showed various electrolyte imbalances and blood pH changes. Many of these dogs had low levels of chloride and potassium, with some experiencing abnormal blood pH levels. The study found that the type of Babesia strain did not seem to affect the severity of these electrolyte disturbances. While some dogs recovered, the research suggests that more studies are needed to fully understand the connection between the strain of the parasite and the health issues it causes.
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Abstract
The purpose of the studies was to determine electrolyte disturbances and blood pH changes in dogs with babesiosis and possibly show a connection between the Babesia (B.) canis strain causing the infection and the intensity of these irregularities. 40 animals (group 1) with early babesiosis and 40 healthy dogs (group 2) were studied and their blood pH and blood levels of potassium, chlorides; calcium and sodium were determined. At the same time, molecular typing of parasites was carried out to detect which B.canis strain (18S RNA-A or 185 RNA-B) had caused the disease in dogs of group 1. In group 1, four dogs were acidaemic, twelve had normal blood pH, and 24 were alkalaemic. Potassium concentration was below normal in 16 out of 40 dogs (40%) and normal in 24 dogs. Hypochloremia was present in 36 out of 40 dogs; chloride was normal in the remaining four animals. Serum sodium concentration was low in 16 of 40 dogs, normal in 20 of 40 dogs and high in four dogs. Calcium concentration was normal in all 40 dogs. In dogs of group 2 no abnormalities of haematological or blood biochemical parameters were observed. 29 out of the 40 dogs of group 1 were infected with the 18S RNA-A strain and eleven with the 18S RNA-B strain of Babesia canis canis. We did not observe any correlation between the type of strain causing the infection and the electrolyte disturbances in the serum of sick dogs. Hypocalaemia was observed in ten specimen infected with 18S RNA-A and six infected with 18S RNA-B. Additionally, in dogs infected with 18S RNA-A, hypochloraemia (28), hyponatraemia (10), hypernatraemia (2) were observed, as well as blood pH drop (4) or increase (14). The 18S RNA-B-infected dogs suffered from hypochloraemia (8), hyponatraemia (6), hypernatraemia (2) and increase in blood pH (10).The studies conducted did not answer the question of whether the type of electrolyte disturbances in dogs with babesiosis can be connected with the strain of the parasite that induced the disease, as happens in the case of other clinical parameters (Adaszek et al., 2009). Further studies in this respect, conducted on a larger group of animals, are necessary.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22372324/