Hypotensive shock syndrome associated with acute Babesia canis infection in a dog
Freeman, M.J.; Kirby, B.M.; Panciera, D.L.; Henik, R.A.; Rosin, E.; Sullivan, L.J.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 204(1): 94-96
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 8125828 Document Number: 433329
A Doberman Pinscher contracted babesiosis after receiving a fresh blood transfusion from a Greyhound blood donor. Hypotensive shock syndrome was suspected on the basis of arterial hypotension, weakness, and pyrexia in the absence of detectable haemolysis and within hours of detection of low numbers of circulating B. canis organisms. Treatment with imidocarb dipropionate appears to have been effective in eliminating circulating B. canis organisms and clinical disease. The blood donor, recently acquired from a racetrack was healthy and lacked any abnormalities on initial laboratory evaluation; however, its serum antibody titre for B. canis was > 1:5000. B. canis organisms were later identified in blood smears after the dog had been splenectomized and treated with corticosteroids an an immunosuppressive dosage. It was concluded that this case draws attention to a potential problem in current screening practices for infectious diseases of retired racing Greyhounds intended for use as blood donors.