Introduction

Babesia are tick-transmitted protozoan haemoparasites of great veterinary and medical impact worldwide. This study evaluated the physiological and clinical parameters in suspected cases of canine babesiosis.

Objectives

To determine the physiological and clinical variations during clinical infections of canine babesiosis.

Aim

To determine the variations in physiological and clinical parameters among dogs with canine babesiosis in some parts of Nigeria.

Methods

One hundred dogs showing clinical signs of canine babesiosis were randomly selected. Physiological and clinical parameters of the dogs were noted while presence of the Babesia sp. was confirmed through parasite detection on Giemsa-stained smears. Data were analyzed using Student's t-test and analysis of variance.

Results

Study revealed sixty-one percent (61%) of the dogs had Babesia sp. with higher prevalence among Alsatian and Rottweiler. Prevalence between males (63.2%) and females (58.8%), adults (> 9 months; 59.1%) and young dogs (< 9 months; 64.7%) showed no statistical difference. Mean rectal temperature of Babesia-positive (39.8 ± 0.95) and -negative group (39.6 ± 0.89) showed no significant difference. Heart and pulse rates were significantly higher in positive group (heart/pulse rates; 128.0 ± 10.7/122.5 ± 18.5) than the negative group (heart/pulse rates; 118.0 ± 17.7/117.3 ± 17.9).

Conclusion

Physiological and clinical parameters other than the heart and pulse rates may not be of diagnostic value in canine babesiosis.