Prevalence, treatment and prophylaxis of babesiosis in dogs

Master's consists of 40 pages, 12 pictures, 5 tables and 44 references. The study was carried out at „X“ Veterinary Clinics of Small Animals in Kaunas, Vilnius and Klaipeda Districts, in 2017. In addition, the survey on the use of preventive measures against the use of blood-sucking ticks was carried out in the district of Vilnius on September - November 2018. The goal of performed study was to estimate the prevalence of dog babesiosis, treatment and prevention in literature and practice. The study examined 51 dogs diagnosed with babesiosis infection and interviewed 104 dog owners, who used preventive measures against ticks for their pets. Blood smear tests were taken to confirm Babesiosis infection. All dogs were subjected to a morphological blood test. The analysis of the morphological blood parameters in the study showed that thrombocytopenia (62,5%) and erythropoiesis (43,75%) were found in dogs with babesiosis. Majority of dogs with babesiosis were found in Kaunas \"X\" clinic (41%). Babesiosis was not significantly affected by gender (p > 0,05). It was estimated, that according dog species, year season and age of the dogs - babesiosis was most common in crossbreeds dogs (29,4%), in spring season (61%) (p < 0,05) and in young dogs (from 1 to 5 years old) (51%) (p < 0,05), respectively. For treatment of all dogs with Babesia spp. Imizol (imidocarb dipropionate) was assigned. In 17,6% of dogs infected with babesiosis t preventive measures against ticks were used and spot-on solutions were most common (13,7%). Furthermore, the combination of imadacloprid and permethrin (31,7%) and spot-on solutions (47,1%) were the most commonly used for tick prevention in healthy dogs (p