Blood transfusion in two anaemic dogs with babesiosis

Severe anaemia and babesiosis was confirmed in two dogs; diagnosis was made by through haematological analysis and the detection of Babesia canis in stained peripheral blood smears. The affected dogs displayed symptoms such as fever, weakness, icteric mucous membranes, dehydration, elevated body temperature, increased respiratory rate, bounding pulse and presence of ticks. Due to severe anaemia with low packed cell volume (below 10 %) and low haemoglobin levels (below 3 gm%), blood transfusion was performed. After ensuring blood compatibility, each dog received 350 ml of whole blood. Clinical improvement was observed following blood transfusion.