Pyroplasmosis in dogs

Pyroplasmosis - is a widespread disease of the whole world of dogs, the causative agent of which are pyroplasm, the simplest microorganisms of the genus Babesia (hence the second name of this disease - babesiosis).

Pathogens pyroplasmosis (and many other pathogens of dogs diseases, e.g., demodectic) transferred ticks - this is the reason for the seasonality of the disease.

Pyroplasm are found in the salivary glands of ticks. When a tick bites the tick, the dog gets into the blood, and with it - and pyroplasm. These microorganisms parasitize in red blood cells (erythrocytes), causing their destruction. During the decay of erythrocytes, a largethe amount of hemoglobin, and the internal organs responsible for its utilization, simply can not cope with the increased load. A large number of toxic products of decomposition of hemoglobin are formed, they accumulate in the body, causing disruption of the internal organs.

The incubation period for infection with pyroplasmosis can range from several days to several weeks. Pyroplasmosis in dogs can occur in two main forms: acute and chronic. The main symptoms of an acute form of pyroplasmosis the following:

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  fever
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  high temperature (40-41 ° C)
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  oppression
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  weakness
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  hard breath
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  lack of appetite
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  rapid pulse
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  pallor or yellowish tinge of mucous membranes
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  changing the color of urine to a reddish or even coffee
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  at the advanced stages - renal, respiratory and heart failure

Chronic pyroplasmosis accompanied by muscle weakness, anemia,exhaustion, fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, kidney failure, jaundice. This form of the disease can last for 3-5 weeks.

However, one external symptom is notdetermine whether your dog has pyroplasmosis - a clinical picture of acute pyroplasmosis may resemble a carnivore plague, leptospirosis or infectious hepatitis. Only a veterinarian can diagnose, based on clinical signs, history and test results (microscopy of blood smears, urinalysis, general and biochemical blood analysis).

In the treatment of pyroplasmosis, two problems are posed: one must destroy the causative agents of the disease and remove intoxication. For anti-pyroplasm control Drugs such as borenyl, azidine, veriben, imidosane and the like are used. These preparations are toxic not only in relation to the causative agent of the disease, therefore it is only the veterinarian who can prescribe them, determine the dose and administer the drug after the final confirmation of the diagnosis!

To to remove intoxication and improve the general condition of the body use a variety of medicines,the choice and dosage depends on the condition of the animal. These can be saline solutions, vitamins, cardiac drugs (with cardiovascular damage), even blood transfusions. Even with a visible improvement in the condition, treatment can not be interrupted-a total of at least a month is required to restore all body functions, and treatment can be stopped only after the control tests are performed.

Is it possible to prevent pyroplasmosis in dogs? 100% of the prevention method does not exist, but still the owners of dogs should take a number of preventive measures. This treatment of animal fur is specialacaricidal agents (sprays, drops on the withers) or the use of acaricidal collars. Many veterinarians advise combining the collar and drops (spray) for greater reliability.

Immediately after a walk you need to carefully to inspect the animal for sucking mites (most often they "prefer" the area of ​​the neck, head, groin and chest), and an hour and a half to repeat the examination.

Exist special vaccine, but it is not able to completely prevent pyroplasmosis, the vaccine is used only to prevent fatal cases.

Pyroplasmosis is a rather dangerous disease, because many internal organs of the animal get under the blow. Therefore, the master's task - If possible, protect the animal from contact with ticks and, at the first alarming symptoms, immediately contact the veterinarian.