Study on Canine babesiosis in veterinary clinic, Can Tho university

Abstract

Study on canine babesiosis (CB) in Veterinary clinic, Can Tho university was implemented
from June to October, 2022 with the aim of determining the prevalence of Babesia spp. infection,
specifying the risk factors and evaluating treatment efficacy of disease caused by Babesia spp. in
dogs raised in Can Tho city to assist diagnosis and treatment as well as to serve as a scientific basis
for farther studies. The study was conducted on 4,211dogs that brought to the first examination
at Veterinary clinic, Can Tho university. Through investigation and clinical examination, 547 dogs
were suspected of being infected by Babesia spp. with a ratio of 12.99% (547/4,211). These cases were specified for taking blood samples and blood-smears were stained with diff-quick method to
identify species of Babesia spp. The studied results showed that there were 88 dogs infected with
Babesia spp., accounted for 16.09% of the suspected cases (88/547). Of which, all of 4 age groups
were infected, the infection rate of dog increased gradually from under 1 year old to over 5 years
old. The dog group over 5 years old accounted for the highest infection rate (21.3%), followed by
the group of 3 to 5 years old (17.5%), 1 to 3 years old (14.8%) and the lowest infection rate of dog
group under 1 year old (13.7%). The infection rate of male dogs and female dogs was 19.7% and
12.7%. The infection rate of the exotic and indigenous dog groups was 17.3% and 14.5%. The
infection rate of the dogs in free-grazing method and in captive method was 21.9% and 13.2%.
The infection rate of the long haired dogs and the short haired dogs was 22.4% and 14.4%. The
infection rate of dogs that had ever been infected with ticks was 20.8% and in the un-protected dogs
against ticks was 30.5%. Canine babesiosis disease depended on sex, breed, raising method, hair
pattern, history of tick infection and use of anti-mites but not on age groups. The infection dogs
with CB disease showed the clinical symptoms, such as: fever, moodiness, anorexia, itching, hair
loss, subcutaneous hemorrhage, dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory failure, nasal discharge,
and watery eyes, pale mucous membranes, yellow mucous membranes and other neurological
symptoms. Imidocarb dipropionate and doxycycline have given the efficacy in the treatment of CB
with the cured rate of 53.33%, 42.22%, respectively and only 4.44% were not cured.