Pyroplasmosis (babesiosis) is a transmissible disease that causes parasites of the genus Babesia. It is not infectious, and therefore your pet can not become infected with another animal. Pyroplasmosis is tolerated by the bites of mites of the genera Ixodes, Dermacentore and Rhipicephalu. Pyroplasm, parasitizing in the organisms of dogs, destroy red blood cells. The causative agents of pyroplasmosis are Babesias cani, Babesia microte, Babesias conradaes, Babesias gibsone. They cause systemic violations of a different nature. The most common species is the simplest mite Babesia canis. Its carrier is the Dermacentor sp. Babesiosis is a seasonal disease. Most often, they become infected in the autumn and spring.
Signs of pyroplasmosis in dogs
Getting into the animal's body, pyroplasms begin to destroy erythrocytes (the process occurs quickly enough), which eventually causes the release of hemoglobin in large quantities. This leads to the formation of toxic products in the body.
Symptoms of pyroplasmosis in dogs can be divided into two groups, depending on the nature of the course of the disease: acute and chronic. An acute form of the disease can be observed in dogs that have not previously had babesiosis. A few days after infection, the animal rises to 41 ° C. You can see how the dog loses interest in games and refuse to eat, I have trouble emptying. The mucous membrane of the eyes becomes yellow, the pulse is poorly palpated. In the same period, in dogs, blood can be observed when urinating. An animal that has become infected with pyroplasmosis becomes difficult to walk, limbs weaken (mostly posterior ones), paralysis is also possible. These symptoms disappear after 5-7 days, after which remission occurs: the temperature decreases, the former symptomatology practically disappears. But this is not a reason for calm. If you do not treat pyroplasmosis, then the lethal outcome is inevitable.
With chronic disease in dogs, pyroplasmosis causes an increase in body temperature (about 40 °) in the early days, after which it returns to normal. The animal can be observed constant fatigue, lack of appetite. With chronic pyroplasmosis, pronounced signs of anemia and general exhaustion of the body are observed. Symptoms can be noticeable for several weeks, and the recovery period (after treatment) lasts for more than a month.
What should you do if you find symptoms of pyroplasmosis in your dog?
First of all, contact the veterinarian. Most often, for the treatment of babesiosis, injections are prescribed, which belong to the group of organic dyes. They are very toxic not only to the parasite, but also to the dog itself. Therefore, in any case, do not try to treat your pet yourself without first checking with the veterinarian. Simultaneously with chemical drugs that kill Babesia,
As a preventive measure for pyroplasmosis, you can use sprays, collars , drops to apply to the withers, which are a protective barrier against tick bites. For the best effect, you can use two drugs at the same time and in no case do not use drugs to treat babesiosis, as a means of prevention.