Prevalence and Role of Anemia in Mortalities of Dogs with Babesiosis

Abstract

Anemia is a decrease in red blood cells (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), and hemoglobin in the blood due to hemolysis, hemorrhage, or decreased production of RBC. This research determined the prevalence, characteristics, and role of anemia in association with babesiosis in dogs for one year. A total of 103 dogs positive for babesiosis presented at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, were screened for anemia. Among these, 80 dogs displaying anemia were selected. A thin blood smear was used to identify Babesia spp. The PCV and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) were determined using an automatic hemoglobinometer (Acon Laboratories, Inc., San Diego, USA). Temperature, pulse, PCV, Hb, and RBC assessed were correlated with mortalities. The findings indicated that 32 anemic babesiosis were male. The percentage of severe anemia was higher, compared to mild or moderate anemia. The age-specific prevalence of anemia was highest among dogs above 3 years but lowest in the age range of 1-3 years. Small breeds of dogs had a higher prevalence of anemia compared with larger breeds. The mortality rate was 18 (22.5%), with severe or microcytic hypochromic anemia being the highest. The temperature and pulse rates of the dogs that died were higher than those of survivors, while the PCV, Hb, and total RBC counts were significantly lower than those of survivors. In conclusion, the prevalence of anemia in dogs with babesiosis in this study was very high. Most of the mortalities recorded in the present study can be attributed to severe anemia and microcytic hypochromic anemia, with mortality rates of 61.% and 38.9%, respectively.