Fatal Canine Babesiosis in a Caucasian Shepherd Bitch from Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Canine babesiosis is an important tick-borne hemoparasitic disease associated with hemolytic anemia and, in severe cases, widespread systemic and organ-specific pathological changes in dogs. This report describes the clinicopathological and postmortem findings of a 2-year-old female Caucasian Shepherd dog presented to the D.I.K Osori Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria, with weakness, anorexia, dyspnea, dehydration, jaundice, and heavy tick infestation. Blood smear examination demonstrated intraerythrocytic Babesia spp. organisms. Hematological evaluation revealed severe macrocytic hypochromic anemia (PCV: 15%, Hb: 48 g/L, RBC: 1.93x10¹² L) with band neutrophilia (0.42x10⁹). Serum biochemistry demonstrated marked hyperbilirubinemia (total bilirubin: 10.15 mg/dL), elevated liver enzymes (ALT: 118 U/L, AST: 170 U/L), and azotemia (urea: 56.2 mg/dL, creatinine: 2.6 mg/dL). Gross postmortem examination revealed generalized lymphadenomegaly, splenomegaly, and hepatomegaly with icterus, pulmonary congestion with areas of consolidation, renal petechiation, and multifocal hemorrhages. Histopathology demonstrated glomerular shrinkage, tubular epithelial degeneration, vascular congestion, and reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. The findings were consistent with severe canine babesiosis, characterized by hemolytic anemia and multisystemic pathological involvement. However, histopathological evaluation was limited to kidney and lymph node tissues, which may have restricted full microscopic characterization of lesions in other affected organs, including the spleen, liver, and lungs. Death occurred following rapid clinical deterioration despite treatment and supportive management. In conclusion, severe canine babesiosis induces fatal multisystemic failure through severe hemolysis, systemic inflammatory response, and multiorgan injury. Early diagnostic surveillance and prompt intervention remain critical to preventing mortality.