Distribution of canine Babesia canis infection in Alytus district

The objectives of the study: to evaluate and analize microscopically coloured blood swabs with dog babesiosis; to analyze clinical signs of babesiosis in infected dogs; to performe a statistical analysis of canine babesiosis distribution in Alytaus district. Materials and Methods of the study: data for research was collected in 3 veterinary clinics from April to September year 2014 in Alytus district and were selected from 123 dogs of various species, ages and gender with clinical signs of babesiosis. Furthermore, coloured blood swabs were investigated microscopically. In addition, blood samples were analyzed morphologically and biochemically. Statistical analysis was performed by „Microsoft Office Excel“ programme. Blood parameters means with standard deviation (SD), minimal (MIN) and maximal (MAX) distributions were calculated. Significance level was set at p0,05); main clinical features were anorexia, fever, apathy, lethargy, hemoglobinemia, hemoglobinuria and trombocitopenia. In majority of cases the treatment was performed using antiparasitic drug (Imizol) and blood transfusion was used only in 4/123 dogs (3.0 %)