A unique case of Babesia gibsoni infected dog with paraplegia

A 4 year old male Rottweiler was presented to Teaching Veterinary Clinics of GADVASU with a primary complaint of paraplegia, fever and inappetence. The dog was found to be dull with elevated rectal temperature (105 °F), heart rate (158 per minute) and respiration rate (57 per minute). Blood smear examination and PCR assay revealed that dog was positive for Babesia gibsoni. Elevated bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, total leucocyte count, neutrophils and hypoglycaemia were haemato-biochemical alterations. The therapy targeting babesiosis was carried out with a single dose of diminazene aceturate in combination with doxycycline, enrofloxacin and metronidazole for 21 days. Complete follow up of the case revealed complete clinical recovery within 21 days.