What it is
Babesia are single-celled parasites passed to a dog by a tick as it feeds on the dog's blood. In Lithuania canine babesiosis is spread by the ornate dog tick, which is active above all in spring and autumn but can be found on mild winter days too. It lives not only in woods but also in meadows, overgrown plots, riverbanks and green spaces in towns.
Once in the blood, the parasites settle inside the red blood cells and break them down. The blood loses the cells that carry oxygen, so the dog weakens, gets breathless and its gums go pale. Pigment from the broken cells turns the urine dark and can cause jaundice, and the body's response to the infection can damage the kidneys and other organs.
After every walk in tick season, check your dog over: head, ears, neck, armpits, groin and between the toes. Remove an attached tick as soon as you can. Your vet can tell you how to protect your dog from ticks.
Signs you may notice
- Sudden lethargy and refuses food
- Fever
- Pale or yellowish gums
- Dark, brown or red urine
- Tires quickly and gets breathless
A few days or weeks after a tick has fed on it, the dog suddenly turns lethargic, stops eating and runs a fever. Its gums turn pale or yellowish, its urine dark, brown or even red, and the dog tires quickly and breathes with difficulty. If you see these signs, don't wait: take the dog to a vet right away.
When to see a vet
A dog that turns lethargic in tick season, runs a fever, has pale gums or darkened urine needs a vet immediately, even if you found no tick on it.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.