What Is Babesiosis?
Babesiosis is a disease spread by ticks. It is caused by microscopic parasites called Babesia, which infect and destroy red blood cells. Several Babesia species can infect animals. species include Babesia felis, Babesia cati, Babesia leo, and Babesia vulpes. Babesiosis affects many domestic and wild animals and, in rare cases, people.
How Common Is Babesiosis?
Babesiosis has a major economic impact on cattle worldwide, and dogs are infected at varying rates around the world. Cats are rarely infected.
Babesiosis in cats is currently of greatest veterinary concern in South Africa. Reports are increasing in parts of Africa and India. Cases remain rare in Europe (for example, France, Germany, Spain, Poland), Asia (for example, Israel, China, Thailand), South and Central America, and the Caribbean.
What Are the Symptoms of Babesiosis?
Babesiosis in cats can range from mild illness to severe, life-threatening disease. Common symptoms include:
fever
weakness
pale gums (anemia)
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
red or dark urine
weight loss
in severe cases, sudden collapse or death
Because these symptoms can look like other diseases, laboratory testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Some animals develop a long-term infection with progressive anemia.
How Is Babesiosis Treated?
Treatment for babesiosis in cats can include prescription medications to kill the parasite and supportive care such as anti-inflammatory drugs, antioxidants, and corticosteroids. Blood transfusions can be lifesaving in severely anemic animals
How Is Babesiosis Prevented?
A vaccine against babesiosis exists for some species but does not protect against all types of the disease.
Keeping ticks off your pet is critical. Use veterinarian-recommended tick control products. Check pets regularly for ticks and remove ticks promptly and safely. If you find ticks on your pet, contact your veterinarian right away.
Can Babesiosis Affect People?
Human babesiosis is rare. Most infections in people are caused by Babesia species different from the ones that infect dogs and cats.
People become infected through bites from infected ticks or from contaminated blood transfusions.
Many infections in people cause no symptoms. Severe illness is more likely in people with a removed spleen or a weakened immune system.
