Understanding Blood Parasites in Dogs

Blood parasites in dogs are a serious concern that can have devastating effects on your furry friend's health.

Some common blood parasites that affect dogs include Babesia, which can cause anemia, jaundice, and even death if left untreated.

Dogs can contract blood parasites through the bite of an infected tick, flea, or mosquito.

Babesia, for example, is usually transmitted by the bite of an infected tick.

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Blood parasites in dogs can be a serious issue, and it's essential to know the common types and their effects on your furry friend.

Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia, Cytauxzoon, hemoplasmas, Hepatozoon, and Trypanosoma are some of the common blood parasites found in dogs and cats.

These parasites can be transmitted through various means, including ingesting a parasite or eggs in food or water, a bite from an infected mosquito, or exposure to feces from an infected dog.

The clinical signs of blood parasites in dogs can vary, but common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, and weight loss, as well as increased appetite without gaining weight.

If you notice your dog scooting or rubbing their rear end against the floor to relieve itchiness, it could be a sign of a parasitic infection.

In severe cases, blood parasites can cause diarrhea or blood present in feces, and even visible worms in your pup's feces or fur.

Treatment for blood parasites typically involves an oral medication like a dewormer, which can take up to several months to ensure all parasites have been killed.

Preventive treatments like heartworm medication are also available to take a proactive approach to combating parasitic infections.

Here are some common blood parasites found in dogs and their affected blood cell types:

Babesia species are one of the most common blood parasites found in dogs, with nine species identified in the US alone. Babesia gibsoni and Babesia canis are the most common types in the US, with Babesia gibsoni prevalent in pit bull populations and Babesia canis commonly identified in greyhounds.

Babesia species can be transmitted through ticks, blood transfusions, or even dog-to-dog bites. They infect red blood cells, causing a range of clinical signs including moderate to severe hemolytic anemia. Treatment for Babesia gibsoni involves atovaquone and azithromycin, while Babesia canis is treated with imidocarb.

Anaplasma species, on the other hand, are transmitted by ticks or, rarely, through infected blood transfusions. There are two species that affect dogs, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys, which can cause thrombocytopenia, fever, and lethargy. Treatment for both species is the same: oral administration of doxycycline for 28 days.

Babesiosis is a disease transmitted by ticks that affects a wide range of domestic and wild animals, including dogs.

The parasite infects the red blood cells and can cause a range of symptoms, from a mild illness that passes quickly to a severe disease that rapidly results in death.

In dogs, the parasite can cause a long-term disease with severe and progressive anemia as the main symptom.

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Babesiosis can be confused with other conditions that cause fever, anemia, destruction of red blood cells, jaundice, or red urine, making laboratory tests necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

There are nine species of Babesia identified in dogs, but Babesia gibsoni and Babesia canis are the most common in the United States.

These two species can be transmitted through ticks and, rarely, blood transfusions, with Babesia gibsoni also being transmitted dog-to-dog via bites.

Babesia gibsoni is prevalent in pit bull populations, while Babesia canis is commonly identified in greyhounds.

The parasite can be identified in a blood smear, where it appears as small, pleomorphic ring-shaped organisms or larger, teardrop-shaped organisms.

Correct identification of the parasite is crucial for effective treatment.

Treatment for Babesia gibsoni infection involves atovaquone and azithromycin, while treatment for Babesia canis infection involves imidocarb.

It's essential to note that prednisone should not be given until the parasitic infection has been treated.

Preventing exposure to ticks by using tick control products and removing any ticks promptly can help keep dogs from being exposed to this parasite.

Hepatozoonosis is a disease caused by a protozoan parasite called Hepatozoon, which is transmitted by ticks. This parasite is unusual because it's not transmitted through a tick bite, but rather through eating a tick or an animal that ate a tick.

In most of the world, the disease is caused by Hepatozoon canis, which is transmitted by the brown dog tick. However, in North America, a different species called Hepatozoon americanum is responsible, which is transmitted by the Gulf Coast tick.

Dogs older than 4 to 6 months old are usually resistant to infection with H. canis, but H. americanum can cause severe signs even in adult dogs. In fact, H. americanum can cause severe signs in dogs that don't have a suppressed immune system, unlike in other parts of the world where the disease is usually mild.

In the United States, most cases of hepatozoonosis have been diagnosed in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, but cases have also been reported as far east as Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. This is a relatively recent disease that has primarily spread north and east from the Gulf Coast of Texas.

Hepatozoonosis can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, depression, weight loss, and bloody diarrhea. Some dogs may also experience muscle loss and weakness, discharge from the eyes, and a general reluctance to move.

A life-long infection, hepatozoonosis can lead to inflammation of the kidneys or amyloidosis of the kidneys, which is a condition where an abnormal protein builds up in kidney tissues. Unfortunately, there is no known treatment that completely clears the body of the parasite, but new drug combinations have resulted in a marked improvement in the outlook for dogs with hepatozoonosis.

Surra is a serious disease caused by the Trypanosoma evansi parasite, which is usually transmitted by biting flies found in various regions around the world.

It occurs in North Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Far East, and Central and South America, making it a significant concern for animal owners in these areas.

Surra can be deadly, particularly in horses, camels, and dogs, which are the most susceptible species.

The disease affects all domestic animals, not just the ones mentioned.

Symptoms and treatment of Surra are similar to those of the tsetse-transmitted trypanosomes, which means diagnosis and care require careful attention to detail.

Surra is often mistaken for other diseases due to its similar symptoms, so a proper diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment.

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Chagas' Disease is caused by infection with the trypanosome Trypanosoma cruzi. It occurs in Central and South America, the southern US, and Europe.

Kissing bugs transmit the disease between susceptible species of animals, and infections have been identified in over 100 different species of mammals. Birds are not affected.

The disease occurs most often in people and dogs, with wildlife serving as a source of infection. Opossums, armadillos, rodents, and wild carnivores can all carry the parasite.

Dogs may become infected and introduce the trypanosome into houses where the bugs are present, putting people at risk. People and dogs become infected by contamination of wounds or by eating food contaminated with insect droppings that contain trypanosomes.

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Affected dogs may die suddenly or have short- or long-term inflammation of the heart muscle. Other signs include swollen lymph nodes, decreased appetite and energy, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, and an enlarged liver or spleen.

Patients with long-term infections can develop life-threatening heart failure. A medication that kills the parasite is used to treat the disease.

Because vaccines are not available, Chagas' disease is controlled by reducing the number of insects that spread the disease.

Hemotropic Mycoplasmas (Hemoplasmas) are a type of parasite that infects the red blood cells of dogs. Mycoplasma haemocanis is a specific parasite that lives on the red blood cells of affected dogs.

Infections with hemoplasma parasites are often asymptomatic, but dogs that have had their spleens removed may exhibit red blood cell destruction, also known as hemolysis. This is a sign that the infection is active.

Hemoplasma parasites are transmitted through the transfer of infected blood, such as through blood transfusions or contaminated needles. They can also be transmitted through the bites of lice, flies, ticks, and mosquitoes.

Veterinarians use blood tests to diagnose the presence of hemoplasma parasites. A diagnosis can be confirmed with a blood test, which is a crucial step in determining the best course of treatment.

To treat hemoplasma infections, specific types of antibiotics are used. However, even after treatment, some dogs will remain infected, requiring additional medications or a blood transfusion to manage anemia.

Screening all blood donors prior to transfusions and controlling insect populations can help limit the spread of hemoplasma parasites. This is an important step in preventing the transmission of this parasite to other dogs.

Anaplasma species are two types of parasites that affect dogs, transmitted by ticks or, rarely, through infected blood transfusions.

Both Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys are found in dogs, with Anaplasma phagocytophilum often coinciding with Borrelia burgdorferi.

These parasites are not found on erythrocytes, but rather within the cytoplasm of neutrophils or platelets.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is seen as a large morula within the cytoplasm of neutrophils, while Anaplasma platys appears as dark-staining granules within platelets.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum can cause a range of clinical signs, including fever, lethargy, inappetence, lameness, stiffness, or a reluctance to move.

Thrombocytopenia is a typical clinical sign of an Anaplasma platys infection.

The treatment for both Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys is the same: oral administration of doxycycline (5 to 10 mg/kg once or twice daily for 28 days).

Hookworms are a type of blood parasite that can infect your dog's intestine.

They attach to the intestine after being ingested and feed on blood, which can cause anemia.

Hookworms like Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma braziliense, or Uncinaria stenocephala are common culprits.

Anemia caused by hookworms can progress to weakness or more serious symptoms.

Dogs with hookworm infections may require specialized nutrition plans to recover.

Preventive treatments like dewormers can help prevent hookworm infections in the first place.

B. canis, a type of blood parasite, can be transmitted to dogs through tick bites. The parasite multiplies inside the tick, which then feeds on the dog's blood, releasing many sporozoites into the dog's bloodstream.

A dog infected with B. canis will typically exhibit lethargy, weakness, vomiting, anorexia, fever, pale mucous membranes, and dark discoloration of the urine. These symptoms can be a sign of the parasite's presence.

Diagnosing B. canis is challenging due to its small size, but taking blood from a capillary source can increase the chances of finding the parasite.

The lifecycle of B. canis is a complex process that involves multiple stages and hosts. A tick carrying the parasite attaches to a dog and feeds on its blood, releasing many sporozoites into the dog's bloodstream.

Each sporozoite attaches to a red blood cell and moves inside the cell, where it loses its outer coating and divides into a new form called a merozoite. This process can have serious consequences for the dog's health.

Inside the tick, the merozoite undergoes sexual reproduction, followed by asexual reproduction, resulting in many sporozoites that are found in the tick's salivary glands. These sporozoites can then move into the next dog on which the tick feeds.

Pregnant dogs can also transmit B. canis to their unborn puppies, so infected females should not be bred. This highlights the importance of controlling tick populations and preventing the spread of the parasite.

Lethargy, weakness, vomiting, anorexia, fever, pale mucous membranes, and dark discoloration of the urine are common symptoms of B. canis infection in dogs.

These symptoms can be quite concerning, and it's essential to have a proper diagnosis to determine the best course of action.

B. canis is not easy to diagnose on a blood smear due to its small size, but taking blood from a capillary source increases the chances of finding the parasite.

Polymerase chain reaction testing is a more accurate diagnostic method, which can provide a definitive answer.

Treatment typically involves an oral medication like a dewormer that kills the parasite and helps the dog expel it.

The treatment process can take up to several months to ensure all parasites have been killed, and preventive treatments like heartworm medication can also be used to combat parasitic infections.

In some cases, dogs may not be completely cured and can become permanent carriers, but prompt treatment can still alleviate symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Dogs who have lost significant amounts of weight may benefit from a specialized nutrition plan, and pups who have suffered long-term effects can have their symptoms managed with medication.

Prevention is key when it comes to blood parasites in dogs. The best prevention is tick control, or prompt removal of ticks from the dog.

Vaccines to prevent B. canis are not available in North America, but in France, a vaccine is available, although it only seems effective against certain strains. Screening potential donor dogs for B. canis infection prior to their donation can prevent the spread of B. canis by blood donation.

Treating internal parasites in dogs typically involves an oral medication like a dewormer that will kill the parasite and help your dog to expel it.

Preventing B. canis requires a multi-faceted approach.

Vaccines to prevent B. canis are not available in North America.

The best prevention is tick control, which can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

Prompt removal of ticks from the dog is also crucial in preventing the spread of B. canis.

Screening potential donor dogs for B. canis infection prior to their donation can prevent the spread of the disease through blood donation.

Treating internal parasites in dogs requires a prompt course of action. A diagnosis has to be made first, which can be confirmed with a parasitic infection test.

Symptoms of B. canis infection, such as lethargy and vomiting, can be treated with imidocarb dipropionate, although the infection may not be eliminated. Dogs can become permanent carriers.

Treatment typically involves an oral medication like a dewormer that kills the parasite and helps the dog expel it. This process can take up to several months to ensure all parasites are killed.

Preventive treatments like heartworm medication can be used to take a proactive approach to combating parasitic infections. This is especially important for dogs that are prone to internal parasites.

Dogs who have lost significant amounts of weight may benefit from a specialized nutrition plan developed by a qualified veterinarian.