Concurrent Trypanosomosis, Babesiosis and Toxocarosis in a Dog: a Case Report

Among the blood-borne parasitic infections of dogs, trypanosomosis and babesiosis are highly prevalent in the Indian subcontinent and highly pathogenic.

A six-month-old dog was presented with complaint of lethargy, anorexia and loss of body weight over the previous 15 days on October 11, 2021. A full clinical and targeted haematologic and parasitological examination was undertaken.

Wet smears were positive for the motile trypanosomes while stained thin blood smears showed large number of extracellular trypanosomes and intra-erythrocytic ring-like inclusion bodies of Babesia spp. A high burden of Toxocara canis was identified on coprological examination.

This report describes the clinical manifestation of concurrent infection of haemoparasites and gastrointestinal nematodes in Pakistani dogs, and highlights the importance of prompt veterinary intervention.