Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Low blood sugar in dogs with severe Babesia canis rossi infection
By Keller, Ninette et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2004·Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prevalence and risk factors of hypoglycemia in virulent canine babesiosis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old mixed breed dog was brought to the vet for severe vomiting and weakness, and was diagnosed with a serious tick-borne disease called babesiosis. During treatment, the vet found that the dog's blood sugar was dangerously low, a condition known as hypoglycemia. This low blood sugar can happen in dogs with babesiosis, especially if they are very weak, anemic, or young. The vet treated the dog with glucose, and after careful monitoring, the dog started to recover and was able to go home.
People also search for: dog vomiting and weakness · babesiosis in dogs treatment · hypoglycemia in dogs symptoms
Abstract
Hypoglycemia is a common complication of virulent canine babesiosis. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of and potential risk factors for hypoglycemia in canine babesiosis from Babesia canis rossi. Plasma glucose concentration was measured at presentation in 250 dogs with babesiosis, of which 111 were admitted to hospital. The prevalence of hypoglycemia (<60 mg/dL) was 9% (23/250). Twenty-two hypoglycemic dogs required admission, making the prevalence of hypoglycemia in admitted dogs 19.8%. Sixteen dogs had severe hypoglycemia (<40 mg/dL), of which 5 had glucose < 18 mg/dL. Hyperglycemia (>100 mg/dL) was present in 38 dogs, of which 21 were admitted. Risk factors for hypoglycemia identified by univariate analysis were collapsed state (P < .00001), severe anemia (P = .0002), icterus (P = .003), age < 6 months (P = .02), and vomiting (P = .03). After logistic regression analysis, collapsed state (odds ratio [OR] = 18; 95% CI, 1.9-171; P = .01) and young age (OR = 2.8; 95% CI, 0.8-9.7; P = .1) remained significantly associated with hypoglycemia. Toy breeds and pregnant bitches were not at higher risk for hypoglycemia than other dogs. Blood glucose concentration should ideally be measured in all dogs requiring inpatient treatment for babesiosis but is mandatory in collapsed dogs; puppies; and dogs with severe anemia, vomiting, or icterus. Many dogs have probably been misdiagnosed with cerebral babesiosis in the past, and hypoglycemia should be suspected in any dog with coma or other neurological signs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15188810/