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Dr Natasha Lee

Dr Natasha is from Kuala Lumpur, where she is the Lead Veterinarian for the SPCA and DBKL (local Govermnet) joint Spay/Neuter Clinic – ‘Klinik Kembiri’.  This project is unique, in that it is supported both by the Government and the local animal welfare NGO – the SPCA Selangor.  The Klinik is for owned dogs and cats to come and be neutered at a discounted rate – but with care and expertise necessary.  Klinik Kembiri was launched in 2002, Dr Natasha joined the program in 2004 and it has grown from strength to strength, nowadays spay/neutering over 200 animals per month. 

Dr Natasha is a pioneer for animal welfare, choosing to work for an NGO project rather than a private practice after graduating top of her year – this dedication has led her to work with Yayasan Yudisthira in Bali and the Tsunami Memorial Animal Welfare Trust (TMAWT) in Sri Lanka. 

Over future articles, Dr Natasha will explain tropical and exotic diseases that are common in Asia, although owners often have little knowledge of how to prevent or treat these diseases. 

The first article feature babesiosis - a disease endemic to Asia, passed to dogs by ticks, if the disease is left unchecked and untreated it can be fatal.  Many street dogs suffer from babsiosis also know as Tick Fever. (Tick Fever different to what Americans know as Tick Fever Lymes disease in the US).

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BABESIOSIS - by Dr Natasha

Which animal does this disease affect?

All dogs, of any breed, sex or age.

What is the cause of this disease?

Babesiosis in dogs is caused by a small blood parasite called Babesia. There are 2 types of these parasites in South East Asia, namely Babesia canis and Babesia gibsoni.

How does my dog get infected?

The Babesia is transmitted from dog to dog by ticks (the brown dog tick, or Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Once bitten by an infected tick, the parasite makes its way quickly into the bloodstream of your dog. In the bloodstream, it goes into the red blood cells and multiplies. The more it multiplies, the more red blood cells get destroyed.

What are the signs and symptoms of this disease?

You might be able to notice if your dog is having babesia. It will be feverish, weak and inappetant. Infected dogs will be anaemic (have pale looking gums). Some dogs will develop jaundice (have yellow looking gums) and have dark coloured urine. Your vet might be able to detect enlarged liver and spleen.

How can I be sure that my dog has babesiosis?

Have your dog checked by a vet. Your vet can look for other signs and symptoms that you might not detect, such as haemoglobinaemia or an enlarged liver and spleen. For confirmation, your vet would look at your dog’s blood under the microscope for the presence of the parasite.

Is there a cure?

You have to bring your dog immediately to a vet. Several injections might be needed before your dog returns to normal. Common drugs used for treatment of babesiosis are imidocarb dipropionate and diminazene aceturate. In severe cases, a blood transfusion may be needed. However, complete elimination of the parasite would be difficult to achieve. Your infected dog may be a carrier for life.

How do I prevent my dog from getting babesiosis?

As this disease is caused by tick bites, you can prevent this disease by controlling ticks. Make sure your dog is always free from any ticks! Your vet will gladly help you outline a tick control program for you and your dogs.

Babesia gibsoni inside red blood cells. It is circular and extremely small.

Babesia canis inside red blood cells. It usually appear in pairs but occasionally more than that. 

Brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)