Acid-base status in canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis

Abstract

Acid-base disturbances have been reported in severe canine babesiosis caused by Babesia rossi (B. rossi), but they have not been studied in babesiosis caused by B. canis. The objective of this study was to determine the acid-base status, blood gases and electrolyte concentrations in naturally occurring canine babesiosis caused by B. canis, and to compare the results to those in healthy dogs. Two groups of animals were used: group 1 consisted of 10 healthy dogs, and group 2 consisted of 14 dogs naturally infected with B. canis. The following acid-base disturbances occurred in the dogs with naturally occurring babesiosis: half of the dogs had a mixed acid-base disorder, and the other half a simple acid-base disorder. The most common mixed disorder was metabolic acidosis with metabolic alkalosis. It may be said that a variety of acid-base disorders occurs in canine babesiosis. The dogs in the present study had metabolic acidosis due to hyperlactemia and hyperchloremia, metabolic alkalosis due to hypochloremia and hypoalbuminemia, and respiratory alkalosis due to hypoxemia. With the use of the strong-ion difference approach clearer recognition of mixed acid-base disorders and their better understanding is possible.