Babesiosis is an infection caused by Babesia, a parasite. The most common way for dogs to contract Babesia is through the bite of an infected tick. The parasite is transmitted to the dog's bloodstream when the tick feeds on its blood. The Babesia parasite invades and damages red blood cells, in severe cases, Babesiosis can cause organ damage and even be fatal.

There are six species of babesia can cause an infection in dogs, these are spread by different ticks. Where in the world these different specifies are found can depend on the climate.

Babesia canis used to be primarily associated with dogs that had travelled overseas however The Big Tick Project found Babesia canis in dogs that have not travelled abroad. This means that whether your dog is from Spain or has never left the UK, it is beneficial to be aware of what Babesia canis is and what the symptoms are.

Recently (July 2024) two of the seven Spanish rescue dogs that Animals Help rescued from a Perrera tested positive for Babesia canis. That particular Perrera does not perform any blood tests on the dogs in their care nor do they vaccinate them. As you can imagine, this can lead to dogs becoming incredibly unwell and dying from a variety of easily identified and treatable diseases.

Symptoms of Babesia in Dogs

The symptoms of Babesia can vary in severity and may include:

• Fever

• Lethargy and weakness

• Loss of appetite

• Pale gums

• Dark urine

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

• Enlarged spleen

• Difficulty breathing

• Weight loss

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, it is important to consult your vet immediately.

Treatment for Babesia Canis

Treatment for Babesia typically involves a combination of medications to kill the parasites and supportive care to manage the symptoms. The specific treatment plan will depend on the severity of the illness and your dog's overall health.

Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for a successful outcome. Prevention is the best course of action.

Preventing Babesia canis in Dogs

The best way to protect your dog from Babesia is to prevent tick bites. Here are some tips:

• Tick prevention products: Use veterinarian-approved tick prevention products such as collars, topical treatments, or oral medications.

• Regular tick checks: Check your dog for ticks after spending time outdoors, especially in areas with tall grass or wooded areas.

• Tick removal: If you find a tick on your dog, remove it promptly and carefully using a tick removal tool.

• Avoid tick-infested areas: If possible, avoid walking your dog in areas known to have high tick populations.

By following preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of your dog contracting Babesia.

The shelter we support performs blood tests when a dog enters their care, this is in addition to vaccination, worm, flea and tick treatment. At Spanish Happy Tails Rescue UK we request additional blood tests to be performed once an adoption is confirmed, we have recently added Babesia to be added to the list of diseases we check for.

We help rescue dogs from Spain find loving homes in the UK. Adopting a dog from Spain is more straightforward than you might think, we deal with everything for you and with full Rescue Back Up, we are there for you from adoption and every day after that.

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