Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Prognostic markers linked to survival in dogs with acute Babesia
By Eichenberger, R M et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2016·Institute of Parasitology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prognostic Markers in Acute Babesia canis Infections.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with acute Babesia canis infections, which can be very serious, were studied to find out what signs might indicate a poor outcome. The researchers found that dogs that did not survive had higher levels of lactate, triglycerides, and phosphate, along with lower blood cell counts compared to those that survived. The dogs that survived generally had normal blood values, while the nonsurvivors showed significant abnormalities. This suggests that if a dog shows signs of severe anemia, low platelet counts, or high lactate levels, they may need intensive care to improve their chances of recovery.
People also search for: dog Babesia canis infection symptoms · dog anemia treatment · high lactate levels in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Canine babesiosis, caused by Babesia canis, is a prevalent and clinically relevant disease in Europe. Severe acute babesiosis is characterized by a high mortality but prognosis is not always correlated with clinical signs nor with the level of parasitemia. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated prognostic markers associated with poor outcomes in acute Babesia canis infections. ANIMALS AND METHODS: We compared the results of routine laboratory profiles, hand-held lactate and glucose analyzer, and the acute phase response in 2 groups of naturally infected dogs (7 survivors and 8 nonsurvivors). Samples were collected at the time of first admission and before any treatment. Subsequently, the course of prognostic markers was followed in 3 dogs experimentally inoculated with B. canis. RESULTS: Nonsurvivors showed significantly higher concentrations of lactate, triglycerides and phosphate and lower hematocrit, leukocyte counts, total serum protein concentrations, and thrombocyte counts when compared to survivors. All nonsurvivors (8/8) had hyperlactatemia, whereas most survivors (6/7) had values within the reference range. All survivors had leucocyte counts within the reference range, unlike the nonsurvivors, which showed leukopenia. During the course of acute babesiosis, the variables serum lactate, triglyceride, and phosphate concentrations, and thrombocyte count only exceeded a prognostic threshold during acute crisis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Poor outcome in acute B. canis infection is indicated by changes in the laboratory profile. Intensive care should be considered for dogs presenting with moderate anemia, severe thrombocytopenia, mild to moderate leukopenia, hyperlactatemia, moderately increased serum phosphate, and triglyceride concentrations, and moderately decreased total serum protein concentrations.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26727465/