Babesia canis

Question 1

What kind of protozoan is Babesia canis?

Answer 1

Hemoprotozoan

Question 2

Where will you find Babesia canis within the canine host?

Answer 2

intracellular RBC

Question 3

How is Babesia canis transmitted

Answer 3

tick vector (multiple species)

Question 4

What are the clinical signs of Babesia canis?

Answer 4

• Lethargic/ weak
• Anemia
  -Icterus
  -Hemoglobinuria
• Splenomegaly

Question 5

How can Babesia canis diagnosed?

Answer 5

blood smear and PCR

Question 6

Does Babesia canis cause damage to RBC

Answer 6

Yes

Question 7

What is the first step in the Babesia canis lifecycle?

Answer 7

Infected tick attaches to host

Question 8

After an infected tick attaches to the host, what does it release into the blood of the host?

Answer 8

Sporozoites which attach/ invade RBCs and divide

Question 9

What do Sporozoites produce when they divide?

Answer 9

Merozoites which are picked up by the tick

Question 10

Within the tick Merozoites transform into what?

Answer 10

Gametes

Question 11

Pregnant dog infected with Babesia canis will infect their unborn puppies, this is called what?

Answer 11

Vertical transmission

Question 12

What causes Icterus in a canine infected with Babesia canis?

Answer 12

Excess bilirubin in the blood stream as a result of RBC destruction

Question 13

When Sporozoites divide is this sexual or asexual reproduction

Answer 13

Asexual