Concurrent infection of Hepatozoon canis and Babesia gibsoni in a non-descript dog and its therapeutic management

Abstract

A two year old male non-descript dog with clinical signs of anorexia, debility, pyrexia, icteric mucous membrane, lymphadenopathy and hepatomegaly was presented at District Veterinary Centre, Palakkad, Kerala. Blood smear examination revealed animal positive for Hepatozoon canis and Babesia gibsoni. Hemato-biochemical findings were anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutrophilic leukocytosis, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, hyperbilirubinemia and elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and alkaline phosphatase. The animal was treated with Diminazine aceturate (3.5 mg/kg body weight, IM) on first day of presentation, Imidocarb dipropionate (6.6 mg/kg body weight, SC) on second day of presentation and repeated at 14 day interval, Doxycycline (5 mg/kg body weight, PO, BID) for 21 days, hematinics and hepatoprotectants. Blood smear examination after one month of treatment showed negative result for Hepatozoon canis and Babesia gibsoni. The animal had an uneventful recovery.