Management of Babesia gibsoni infection in a Great Dane Dog

Canine babesiosis is a hemolytic disease which is caused by Babesia canis and B. gibsoni. In this case report, a two-year-old male Great Dane dog was presented with the history of inappetence, dullness and partial blindness for last 10 days. Animal was dull with elevated rectal temperature, slightly tachycardia and hyphema. Thrombocytopenia, elevated liver enzymes, anemia, leukocytosis and increased blood urea nitrogen were observed. Blood smear examination showed presence of intra-erythrocytic piroplasm organisms. Upon confirmatory diagnosis with B. gibsoni, the treatment was initiated with Atovaquone in combination with Azithromycin. Hematinic, antioxidant, platelet booster syrup and hemostatic drugs were given twice daily for 5 days. The animal had uneventful recovery following therapy.