A clinico-pathological study of Babesia canis infection in dogs

[摘要] This thesis presents a broad survey of all importantaspects of Babesia canis infection in dogs. In view of itsdiverse symptomatology the disease has been comprehensivelyinvestigated with particular emphasis on the effects of theinfection on the liver, the kidneys and the haematologysince these have been found to have a important influenceon clinical events and on the type of supportive treatmentto be instituted.For experimental material major use was made of alarge number field cases presented for diagnosis and treatmentat the Outpatient Clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Scienceat Onderstepoort. These were clinically assessed as belongingto one or other of three categories of severity and suitablespecimens collected for laboratory evaluation. In a fewinstances dogs were artificially infected to clarifycertain points but were on account of the artificiality ofconditions not regarded as the best clinical material.It was found that infected dogs could die from variouscauses: medical shock in peracute cases (particularly youngdogs), liver failure, kidney failure, heart failure andoccasionally pulmonary failure. Different combinations ofthese could be operative, and they could play an importantpart in morbidity and mortality even after elimination ofparasites by appropriate specific chemotherapy.The better understanding thus gained is designed to serve as a guide to what clinico-pathologicalexaminations are required and thence to life-savingsupportive treatment.

[发布机构] University of Pretoria