Canine babesiosis: A Hospital-Based Study Revealing Higher Prevalence in Puppies and a Significant Link to Tick Infestation

Abstract

Canine babesiosis, caused by the Babesia parasite and transmitted by ticks, results in significant illness and mortality in dogs worldwide. Its prevalence depends on tick distribution, which is high in Nigeria's tropical climate. Therefore, there's a need to monitor the disease's prevalence periodically. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Canine babesiosis and assess its clinical signs in dogs at a Veterinary Hospital in Kano, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 254 dogs presented for veterinary care. Blood samples were collected and screened for the presence of Babesia species using microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained thin blood smears. Data on age, gender, and clinical signs, including tick infestation, were recorded for each subject. A chi-square test was used to determine the association between categorical variables at a 5% significance level. The overall prevalence of babesiosis was 20.9%. A statistically significant association (P = 0.010) was found between age and infection rate, with puppies showing a higher prevalence (13.8%) than adult dogs (7.1%). A higher proportion of male dogs (13.5%) were infected than females (7.5%), although this difference was not statistically significant. Among the 168 dogs (66.1%) found to have tick infestations, 25.6% were infected, and this was the only clinical sign significantly associated with the disease. Haemoglobinuria was observed in 40 dogs, but it was a poor predictor of disease, as only 10% cases were confirmed positive for babesiosis. This study confirms a high prevalence of Canine babesiosis in Kano, Nigeria, and identifies puppies as a demographically high-risk group. The strong link with tick infestation underscores the importance of vector control, while the poor correlation of haemoglobinuria with infection highlights the necessity for laboratory confirmation of diagnosis. These findings are crucial for veterinarians in improving diagnosis, implementing effective prevention strategies, and enhancing client education in the region.