Recovery and complications after piroplasmosis in dogs, consequences after treatment.

Outcome of infection

Piroplasmosis (babesiosis) is a common infection.
Every year the statistics of dog infection increases. This is an alarming disease. It is difficult to identify and difficult to cure. Prevention does not always work 100%. There is no complete insurance against infection. The causative agent of the disease is the ixodid tick. Its bite provokes the development of infection.

The dog's body temperature begins to increase rapidly. Sometimes it reaches 42 degrees. The animal has a fever. Perhaps after some time the temperature will decrease. But this does not mean recovery. The urine changes color, becomes darker, even turns black. The smell of urine changes, becoming more pungent and unpleasant. The pet refuses to eat, becomes apathetic and lethargic. Breathing becomes difficult, shortness of breath appears. Internal organs may enlarge. Diarrhea and vomiting are possible. You may vomit bile and mucus with bloody discharge. With such symptoms, the animal should be urgently shown to a doctor.

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The diagnosis is made after the results of tests and examination by a doctor. The blood test will have to be done more than once. The first analysis often does not give a reliable picture. The pathogen can camouflage itself until the last stage of the disease. Analyzes are carried out for at least 5 days.

Without the necessary treatment, the risk of death of the animal is high. About 98% of dogs die from this infection.

Treatment is aimed at destroying the pathogen and stopping intoxication. Portions of chemical medicine against infection are determined based on the weight of the dog.

Let's assume that the animal has suffered from a disease. As the dangerous period is in the past, it’s too early to relax. The consequences of piroplasmosis are unpredictable. For rehabilitation, the dog will need external assistance.

Consequences can be obvious or disguised. Their effect depends on the body’s immune system and the treatment provided.

The consequences may be:

• Impaired functioning of the central nervous system;
• Cardiac dysfunction;
• Anemia from iron deficiency;
• Disorder of the liver and kidneys;
• Deterioration of vision;
• Musculoskeletal disorder;
• Impaired lung function.

During illness, the condition of the nerves worsens. Their cells are damaged completely or partially. The cells of the nervous system are not renewed.

After an infection, the cardiovascular system can suffer. Oxygen deficiency creates stress on the myocardium. Anemia develops. It is calculated by a blood test, which shows a low content of active red cells.

Babesia is a parasite that damages red blood cells. Destroyed red blood cells can block the kidney duct. Kidney failure occurs.

There is a possibility of hepatopathy. This is a liver lesion. A strong drug for infection can have a bad effect on the liver.

After illness, vision may deteriorate. There is a possibility of absolute blindness. Intoxication has a bad effect on the visual organs.

There is a possibility of developing DIC syndrome. Hemostasis is impaired. Fibrin, platelet, and erythrocyte clots appear in the blood. Their settling in the capillaries forms a dystrophic change.

Muscular neurosis may occur. It is caused by the destruction of blood circulation.

There is a threat of cerebral syndrome. After infection, it occurs due to endothelial dysfunction, damage to the vascular system of the brain.

The occurrence of respiratory syndrome threatens due to swelling of the respiratory organs.

An infectious complication is caused by the disease itself and the treatment. The disease cannot be eliminated without the use of strong medications. Medicines for piroplasmosis are toxic. They have a negative effect on the body.

The disease from an infected dog is not transmitted to humans or other animals.

Clinical blood test

Biochemical analysis is also an important blood test. When piroplasmosis is detected:

• an increased amount of bilirubin, which indicates the destruction of red blood cells and the release of hemoglobin, which breaks down in the liver;
• increased urea levels, this indicates a violation of extraction in the kidneys;
• increase in creatine. An indicator indicating pathology of the renal glomeruli;
• increase in alpha amylase levels. This indicates renal failure.

When conducting blood tests for piroplasmosis, it should be taken into account that indicators such as total protein and glucose always remain normal.

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is often used to diagnose piroplasmosis. This method is very specific and highly accurate, but is applicable in the initial stages of the disease. After treatment, when there is no longer a pathogen in the blood, but traces of it (genetic material) remain, the reaction gives a positive result. If PCR is carried out at the beginning of the pathological process, then this makes it possible to quickly establish a diagnosis, prescribe treatment and carry out therapy.

Important! When making a diagnosis, you cannot rely on any one method. Only a comprehensive study of clinical signs in tandem with laboratory diagnostics can lead to a quick and accurate diagnosis.

Rehabilitation

Recovery from an infection takes a long time. When the sign of illness disappears, the animal will begin to feel well. The owner must remain attentive.

Measures to be taken:

• Reduce physical stress on your pet;
• Consider the dog's diet;
• Give vitamins and medications.

The goal of recovery is to eliminate the effects of the disease.

The duration of taking vitamins and medications is determined by the degree of infection.

Do not try to treat your dog yourself. Follow the directions given by your veterinarian.

Can be assigned:

• Antibiotics;
• Choleretic and diuretic drugs;
• Multivitamins;
• Medicines for the liver;
• Therapeutic diet.

During the rehabilitation process, the dog should be in a calm state and not get tired. Food during the recovery period should be healthy. Pet stores have therapeutic foods.

The duration of rehabilitation varies. Depends on:

• How dangerous the infection was;
• The age of the animal, its immunity;
• Breed;
• Treatment provided.

A case of relapse of the disease is possible. This happens when not all Babesia are eliminated by treatment. After recovery time, a visit to the veterinarian is necessary. The specialist will examine you and take another blood test to rule out a hidden symptom.

Vaccination

To protect your four-legged friend from the unpleasant consequences of babesiosis, many veterinary hospitals provide vaccination. Vaccines Nobivak Piro, Pirodog, Bravecto contain antigens of the piroplasma bacterium.

Important!

In immunocompromised dogs, vaccination may lead to babesiosis. You should consult your veterinarian before vaccination.

Having a vaccine does not guarantee 100% protection against the virus, but it does make the disease easier and reduce the risk of death. The cost of the service depends on the choice of clinic and can vary from 2500 to 4000 thousand rubles.

Nutrition

A specialist prescribes a diet after babesiosis. Proper nutrition is the final stage of recovery.

It is important to follow the rules:

• Reduce the portion of food and increase the number of meals;
• Give food intended for sick animals (dry or natural);
• It is necessary to provide fresh and high-quality food;
• Preference should be given to foods that remove toxins from the body;
• Food should not be cold and varied;
• During rehabilitation, exclude raw foods;
• It is advisable to soften dry food;
• Give the animal plenty of water.

Include foods in your diet:

https://dog-care.ru/zdorove/bolezni/piroplazmoz-posledstviya-oslozhneniya-posle-lecheniya-smertnost.html

• Rice, buckwheat, millet porridge;
• Chicken, turkey, beef;
• Vegetable stew;
• Lean fish;
• Dairy products;
• Boiled eggs;
• Boiled minced meat, canned dog food;
• Low-fat broth.

Exclude from the diet:

• All cereals except buckwheat, rice, millet;
• Raw foods;
• Cabbage, potatoes, apples, beets;
• Fatty fish;
• Whole milk;
• Sugar, salt, everything floury and spicy;
• Sausage;
• Other human food.

If during illness the kidneys are hit, then you need to reduce your protein intake. The pet should take more vitamins B and C. If the animal suffers from severe anemia, they focus on foods containing a lot of iron. Iron supplements may be prescribed.

The consequences of piroplasmosis and its treatment can be invisible, severe and even fatal. Your pet needs care at all stages of rehabilitation. When complications combine, the dog will be more difficult to treat. It is necessary to eliminate the consequences of the disease and complications from treatment. The necessary health measures should be prescribed by a veterinarian.

The danger of piroplasmosis

Red blood cells take part in the delivery of oxygen to the tissues and organs of the pet. In addition, red blood cells also absorb carbon dioxide, which is released when oxygen is burned. If most of the red blood cells die, cellular starvation occurs and the dog begins to lack oxygen.

Intoxication may not occur if the destroyed red blood cells are quickly removed from the body, but then the organs that remove them begin to wear out (kidneys, spleen, liver).

Often there are cases where destroyed blood cells clog the kidney tubules. As a result, blood clots appear in the kidneys, leading to kidney failure.

Piroplasmosis puts a lot of strain on the heart and lungs - they also begin to work hard, trying to compensate for the small amount of oxygen.

Prepare before going to the vet

In the office, you may have to provide the veterinarian with all possible assistance (hold the animal while they take blood for analysis, give an injection, extinguish aggression, calm your voice, scratch its ears, stroke it). If you know that you are terrified of blood, IVs, or definitely cannot withstand the type of medical interventions, then perhaps you should ask a friend or relative for help.

Find a veterinary certificate, veterinary passport.

Take:

• Leash;
• Collar;
• Muzzle;
• Carrying;
• A pack of napkins;
• litter;
• Bowl, water (at the veterinarian's discretion)

Prepare answers to possible questions from the veterinarian:

• Are all vaccinations up to date on the animal?
• Pet’s behavior in recent days, appetite;
• His diet;
• What drugs and medicines did you give to the animal;
• Latest test data (if available).

It’s better to make an appointment in advance - you’ll save time and be able to calculate when you’ll have to take time off. This does not apply to life-threatening situations where you will have to take an animal to a veterinary clinic without an appointment.

Be affectionate with your pet, play, talk to him. You can take his favorite toy with you so that while you wait for your turn at the reception, you can distract your friend from the new environment.

Furry, feathered or scaly ones also need to be prepared. No matter how much you want to treat your little one with something tasty, remember: you need an empty stomach. Feeding is prohibited!

You can wash your animal without using detergents. But it is important not to touch your pet if there is nasal discharge, watery eyes, salivation (salivation), dandruff, scratching, rashes, skin scabs, loss of hair/feathers/scales, wounds and other external manifestations of a potential disease.

If the veterinarian has instructed, collect the animal’s urine in a sterile container, and pick up the feces with a stick (no blades of grass, specks, or debris). Transfer the feces into a sterile container. Send to the biochemical laboratory within 6 hours. The feces are examined for eggs of roundworms, pinworms, tapeworms, liver flukes, echinoccus, alvecoccus, pork tapeworm, bovine tapeworm, and gastrointestinal bleeding is detected.

At the veterinary hospital, the animal’s blood will be analyzed for antibodies to allergens, viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

Dog attack

A few days ago, my wife and I visited a friend who lives on a picturesque bank of a forest river and is an avid hunter. The owner came out to greet the guests wearing a respirator and white paper overalls with a zipper. “What,” I was surprised, “have bird flu come to you too?”

“No,” he laughed (by the way, he was a former professional chemist). — I treat doghouses with activated creolin. The ticks are already ferocious.”

“Is creolin somehow better than carbolic acid or formaldehyde?” — one of us (a dog lover with pre-Saafian experience) did not miss the opportunity to show off his erudition.

“Perhaps... yes,” the hunter nodded, having figured something out in his mind, “he not only destroys all this blood-sucking muck, but also prevents it from getting into the booth for quite a long time. They can’t stand him!” And he added in a thoughtful whisper, as if giving away a state secret: “There’s hexachloral in there!”

“Wow,” I thought, for some reason remembering how in the army in the Far East, every half hour we were forced to undress to the waist and remove ticks from each other. “You can’t force city dwellers to put a flea collar on their dog, but rural residents even sanitize their kennels.” May flower lovers forgive me, but I really want to devote half of today’s conversation at the Palisade site to the dangers that await our beloved animals.

Mr. X-ray mite

If you asked 30 years ago: “What is piroplasmosis?” the first doctor he came across at a city veterinary clinic, then, most likely, he would shrug his shoulders and look into the directory. The fact is that this scourge, which is carried by the females of some ticks, has become widespread in central Russia only in recent decades. In any case, a very dangerous outbreak has formed in the Moscow region, which will be extremely difficult to eliminate. Today we have such a massive outbreak of the disease that any careless walk with a dog in the forest or park can end in failure.

I cannot help but draw your attention to the fact that the ixodid tick, against which so many curses are heard, is in fact not at all the cause of a dangerous disease. He himself is first and foremost a victim, it’s just that other carriers—protozoa organisms—live in him. So the real causative agents of the disease are Babesia. It takes about a week from the moment of the bite of an infectious bloodsucker to the first signs. All this time, the dog looks absolutely healthy, in fact, vile Babesia is already multiplying in its body, destroying red blood cells.

A little more time passes, and the dog becomes lethargic, sad, moves very little, and loses interest in games and life. If you notice that at the very first kind words addressed to her, she does not whip her tail on the sides, but only painfully moves it to the sides - this is no longer a bell, but an alarm bell! Let's run to the doctor!

The most common symptoms of piroplasmosis look like this:

The animal loses its appetite.

The movements become very slow and smooth, she no longer runs, but hobbles.

The temperature rises to 40 degrees.

The nose is dry and warm.

Noticeable shortness of breath appears.

The patient begins to feel thirsty and drinks a lot often.

The surest sign: urine becomes very dark.

Any veterinarian will confirm to you that if timely measures are not taken, the animal is more likely to die than survive. However, if he manages to survive piroplasmosis on his legs, or rather “on his paws,” this does not mean that the disease did not deal a strong blow to the internal organs (most often the liver and spleen), turning your friend into a disabled person for the rest of his life. Relapses of this insidious scourge also occur.

A funny story is told by veterinarian Boris Shulyak, whose favorite hobby is piroplasmosis. One frosty December day, a friend (the head doctor of the veterinary clinic) called him and asked: “Be a friend, see what’s wrong with the dog! I sent one of my young employees, and he diagnosed piroplasmosis! I’ll fire you tomorrow!” However, an experienced infectious disease specialist, Dr. Shulyak, confirmed the diagnosis. It turned out that ticks were regularly collected from the dog in the fall, but none of the owners thought to check the dog for piroplasm. And only after 4-5 months they made themselves felt, showing classic symptoms of a non-seasonal disease. The recurrent form against the background of an unnoticed disease can develop against the background of a cold, stress, hunger and other sudden deteriorations in the care of the animal.

Two questions that are most often asked when it comes to piroplasmosis:

— Haven’t effective vaccines been created yet that will allow you to walk your dog carefree through forests and meadows, without fear that any tick that clings to the dog can reward it with deadly Babesia?

Answer: There is no domestic vaccine yet. From time to time, scientific publications mention imported ones, but none of the Russian veterinary doctors interviewed by the author of these lines have yet used them and can tell nothing about their effectiveness.

- But what about the wolves, foxes, jackals, stray and village dogs that wander through forests and parks, covered with ticks and do not die like flies from piroplasmosis?

Answer: If an animal population is attacked by infectious ticks for many years, then over time, the most disease-resistant individuals develop antibodies that are capable of killing pathogens. But this does not apply to your city dog, who finds himself in a spring forest full of invasive dangers.

The surest way to avoid illness is to resist temptation and not tempt fate. Refrain from walking in nature unless absolutely necessary. If the dog often goes to the dacha, then mow the grass around the area and eliminate the bushes. The fact is that it is there, on the stems and branches, that the tick larva sits, patiently, day after day, waiting for the next victim. She sees poorly and hears nothing, but she has an excellent thermolocator, which allows her to sense the approach of a warm-blooded animal from afar and prepare to board. As soon as she manages to latch on, she injects substances into the victim’s body that slow down blood clotting. At this moment, Babesia enters the body with saliva. Now you understand some simple precautions:

After each country walk, inspect the animal and remove all parasites from it. Pay special attention to the neck, ears, armpits, perineum and anal area.

After a few days, the ticks you missed begin to swell from the blood they have sucked and are easy to detect by touch. Consult with your veterinarian and only then choose what is most suitable for you from the huge number of drugs available on the market (repellents, sprays, shampoos, etc.). Manufacturers claim that some of them can protect against ticks for several months. Believe me, if you are still able to trust businessmen, but do not forget that if you purchase a product from a company that is most intrusively advertised on TV, you will overpay at least 20 percent. In other words, there may be a similar product nearby that is much cheaper.

And the last thing: let’s leave the guaranteed miracles of saving dogs from ticks to the conscience of the authors and customers of advertising videos. None of these remedies are a panacea or solve the problem. All of them only minimize the possibility of infection of the dog. Twenty of the most squeamish bloodsuckers will contemptuously turn away from the “fragrant” dog, but ten of the hungriest and most picky will still cling to it.

Hence the conclusion. To prevent your dog from getting sick from the bite of an infected tick, you need to: put an anti-parasitic collar on it, spray it with a special spray (you can choose the one that is most often advertised) and, most importantly: do not leave the house with it!!!

Choosing a veterinary clinic

We determine the veterinary clinic where you plan to go. A big PR company doesn't promise quality. The price is explained by the huge amount of money invested in advertising and “signboarding” of the establishment.

It’s great if you can ask your friends about clinics where their pets were treated “humanely.” If you travel far from them, it may be worth sacrificing time for the health of your pet.

A few more tips on how to spot an unverified veterinary clinic:

1. Refusal to provide certificates and licenses for veterinary activities.
2. Strange and suspicious behavior of the veterinarian (inconsistency, flattery, attempts to intimidate, shouting).
3. Prices are too low (compared to other organizations).
4. Refusal to freely visit the veterinary clinic.

“We have a sanitary day”

Beware of scammers!

When you contact the veterinary clinic, you are informed: “we cannot accept you at this address, sanitary day/repair/inspection.” How much intelligence does a dispatcher have? The client is persuaded to have a veterinarian come to his home. The price does not change.

A veterinary clinic can exist purely nominally. And the invited “Aibolit” will not bear responsibility. There is a high probability of running into a person without a veterinary diploma or simply an unprofessional.

It is better to find time to visit the veterinary clinic on your own. This is safer for the animal.

Games on feelings

In real veterinary clinics there will be elements of “divorce”.

Veterinarians say that this is often determined by the client’s wallet. The greater the opportunity to pay for services and the more the owner worries about his pet, the more likely the animal will be prescribed additional immunostimulants, dietary supplements, water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins, and special food. There are cases when this is really necessary (pedigreed, show animals, weakened after a serious illness). But it will be good if you ask your veterinarian in detail about the need for each appointment. Find out in detail about the results of the examination and analysis of your pet’s condition. Be persistent. Do not give in to attempts to intimidate you, be consistent in your questions. Consult a specialist who does not work at this veterinary clinic. If it turns out that half of the prescriptions are prescribed to enrich the veterinarian’s pocket, and not for the health of the animal, feel free to leave. And do not forget to leave a negative review about the organization - other owners may also suffer.

How to find out the truth

Another possible way for veterinarians to make dishonest money is to conceal the diagnosis. Let's say a veterinarian discovers a malignant tumor in a cat. But if he says that the tumor is benign and treatable. A housewife who dotes on her pet will give money for already useless procedures, medications and surgical interventions.

The veterinarian may deliberately “downplay” the diagnosis in order to earn more money. If something doesn't add up, insist on clarification. There is no need to be intimidated by unfamiliar terms - take a short break and try to find information on the Internet.

You are free to leave (or threaten to do so) to another clinic at any time.

Make sure that the veterinary clinic is honest - get tested in an independent laboratory.

Justice

What to do if an animal was injured as a result of unprofessional actions of a veterinarian:

• Write an official complaint addressed to the head of the clinic.
• File a complaint with the city veterinary department.
• You can contact Rospotrebnadzor.
• Contact a lawyer for help

The Law “On the Protection of Consumer Rights” and Article 245 of the Criminal Code “Cruelty to Animals” are the grounds for considering claims regarding the work of veterinary clinics.

Duration of persistence of complications

For a pet to fully or partially recover from piroplasmosis, a certain amount of time is required:

• anemia persists for one to two weeks;
• A blood transfusion will help cleanse the body and restore the dog’s liver and kidney systems.

Thus, to summarize, it should be noted that if your pet is faced with a pathology such as babesiosis, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible and begin adequate treatment. Prevention of a tick bite can only be based on carefully inspecting your pet's fur after a walk and treating it with special products that repel insects. The sooner you take action, the more likely your pet is to survive.

Saving

What to do if funds are limited and your pet needs medical care:

• Some procedures can be carried out independently. Giving a drug injection to a cat or dog is not difficult. Dressing uncomplicated wounds is also sufficient. Ask your veterinarian to teach you.
• How to properly give a pill to an animal: hide it in a lump of tightly rolled minced meat. If the animal bites through the decoy, you can crush the tablet and dissolve it in water, milk, liquid porridge, or food.
• If an animal has been prescribed a course of vitamins or some other non-medicinal but expensive drugs, it may be worth finding analogues at a lower price.
• There are various benefit programs in which you can participate. This could be, for example, sterilization, castration, or vaccination of an animal.

What is piroplasmosis in dogs

Piroplasmidea is a protozoan. Carrying out the classification, dog piroplasma was assigned to the genus Babesia, and the disease was called babesiosis, although piroplasmosis is also found as a term.

Important! The pathogen does not live in nature and has two hosts - a dog and a tick.

The parasite enters the animal's body with the saliva of the tick, which attacks the animal for bloodsucking. Once in the blood, it penetrates into red blood cells, where it feeds and multiplies by simple division.

In arthropods, piroplasm lives in the hemolymph, where it undergoes a number of changes and reproduces by schizogony, multiple division. Penetrating into the salivary glands, the parasite infects the dog when bitten with saliva. Pyroplasma can withstand freezing and remains viable for up to several years. When the corpse decomposes, it quickly dies.

A tick that has bitten a dog is not always capable of infecting it. The animal will not get sick if:

• has high immunity (body resistance);
• does not come into contact with ticks often (isolated cases);
• the pathogen has low pathogenicity.

If a tick transmits piroplasm to an animal, then the incubation period in dogs lasts 4-5 days. The following are the symptoms:

• oppression;
• increase in temperature (not constant, up to 4 days, then decline);
• pallor of visible mucous membranes with further yellowing;
• lack or decreased appetite;
• urine becomes bloody.

Sometimes the symptoms disappear and the disease becomes chronic. In this case the dog:

• loses weight slowly;
• playfulness gives way to oppression;
• mucous membranes are alternately pale and yellow;
• There is no appetite at times.

Important points

1. Refusal to vaccinate. This is dangerous for the animal and all those who will come into contact with it (people). Vaccination is a scientifically proven method of preventing many infectious diseases. Get your animal vaccinated by a trusted veterinarian (or with his approval yourself). It is important to get vaccinated against rabies - this is a fatal disease induced by the Rabies lyssavirus virus, which cannot be cured, but can be prevented.
2. Anesthesia - inhalation, intravenous, anesthesia - epidural, conduction. They are necessary so that the animal does not suffer, to prevent painful shock. The veterinarian’s “hands on” are important here - both overdose and weak anesthesia lead to serious consequences (shock, poisoning, death) for the animal.
3. Sterility, antiseptic. If you see that the veterinarian does not follow the rules of antiseptics (reuses disposable syringes, diapers, bandages, does not treat hands with antiseptic after contact with the previous animal), the best choice would be to contact another veterinarian.
4. Important medicines:
5. Antibiotics - amoxicillin, tilozil, trimethoprim, sulfadiazine, lincomycin, marbofloxacin;
6. Antipyretics - paracetamol, salicylic acid preparations, antipyrine, butadione, amidopyrine;
7. Anti-inflammatory drugs - vedaprofen, choline salicylate cycloferon, aspirin;
8. Anesthetics - novocaine, lidocaine, dicaine, trimecaine;
9. Hemostatics - fibrinogen, thrombin, vikasol, phytomenadione, calcium chloride, etamsylate;
10. Antiparasitic - praziquantel, aversectin, albendazole, ivermectin, fluralaner.

If you care what happens to your pet, you should not neglect appointments.

Don't let unverified veterinary clinics endanger your pet and profit from their owner's feelings! If you have time and desire, it is worth trying to achieve justice in case of violation of ethical or legal standards.

Piroplasmosis prevention

There is no vaccine that completely protects against piroplasmosis. However, if your dog is vaccinated regularly, this reduces the risk of disease, even if infection occurs. While the body is protected by a vaccine, Babesia can still enter the pet’s body, but thanks to the vaccine, the disease will be mild.

Prevention measures include protecting your dog from tick bites. To do this, you can apply special drops to the withers, use sprays or collars against ticks and fleas.

Piroplasmosis is an extremely dangerous disease for a dog’s body, almost always ending in death. Therefore, when walking with your pet in a forested area, it is better to use special protective equipment. If your dog develops any symptoms, you should not self-medicate. The best option is to take your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible.