| dc.description.abstract | Canine babesiosis is a globally important parasitic disease in dogs. The main causative
agents are B. canis which occurs predominantly in Europe, B. vogeli, and B. rossi, both of
which occur in South Africa. In South Africa, 10% of the incoming patients in small animal
clinics are infected with predominantly B. rossi, which is the most virulent and pathogenic
of the canine babesia species. Haemaphysalis elliptica is the tick vector for B. rossi.
Diagnosis of canine babesiosis is made typically by evaluating a blood smear taken from
peripheral blood in conjunction with clinical signs. Most common clinical signs include
lethargy, fever and pale mucous membranes. | en_US |
