The aim of the study was to demonstrate a link between uncomplicated Babesia canis infection in dogs and blood concentrations of zinc and copper and erythrocytic antioxidant defence – activities of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT).

The purpose of the study was to investigate post-mortem changes in dogs infected with Babesia canis and to establish the probable cause of death of the affected animals.

The aim of the study was to demonstrate a link between uncomplicated Babesia canis infection in dogs and blood concentrations of zinc and copper and erythrocytic antioxidant defence – activities of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The study was based on 15 naturally occurring cases of canine babesiosis with anorexia, pyrexia, depression, pale mucous membrane, splenomegaly and dark red urine. Microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smears and the results of PCR confirmed B. canis infection. Seven apparently healthy dogs brought in for either a check-up or vaccination were used for comparison. The levels of the erythrocytic antioxidant enzymes - SOD and CAT - were significantly higher in the infected dogs than in cytologically negative dogs. The levels of blood micronutrients were significantly lower in the infected dogs (0.478 μg of zinc per mL vs 1.241 μg/mL and 0.722 μg of copper per mL vs 1.392 μg/mL). Oxidative stress can be posited as one of the mechanisms leading to anaemia in dogs with babesiosis, and therefore antioxidant biomarker and copper and zinc concentrations could be used as indicators of disease severity and prognostic markers.

The purpose of the study was to investigate post-mortem changes in dogs infected with Babesia canis and to establish the probable cause of death of the affected animals. Cadavers of six dogs that did not survive babesiosis were collected. Necropsies were performed and samples of various organs were collected for histological examination. Necropsies and histological examinations revealed congestion and oedemata in various organs. Most of the dogs had ascites, hydrothorax or hydropericardium, pulmonary oedema, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, and cerebral congestion, and necrosis of cardiomyocytes. These results suggested disorders in blood circulation as the most probable cause of death. However, the pulmonary inflammatory response and cerebral babesiosis observed in some of these dogs could also be considered possible causes of death. This study also showed a possible role for renal congestion in the development of renal hypoxia and azotaemia in canine babesiosis.