MilMed Jan Feb 2007.qxp - SA Military Health Service

Can Dogs get Malaria?No, but BiliaryFever is theequivalent!Written and photographed by Maj L. Cortzen (Veternary Support)Amicroscopically small protozoan gets transmittedthrough tick saliva when an infected tick bitesyour dog causing biliary fever. Ixodid ticks, thekennel and yellow dog tick, serve as mainvectors. Babesia canis rossi is the most virulent strain of theprotozoan in South Africa. These protozoan parasitesmultiply in the red blood cells destroying them. Less redblood cells means that less oxygen is available resulting inmuscle weakness. The organs also become damaged dueto the lack of oxygen. Destroyed red blood cells releaseyellow pigments which have to be processed by the liver. Ifthe liver is unable to function optimally, the yellow pigmentwill circulate in the blood, resulting in the dogs gums beingyellow in colour.the disease is diagnosed and treated the better the chancesof survival.The veterinarian will examine the dog and take blood fromthe tip of the ear to make a blood smear. The presence ofbiliary parasites on a thin blood smear is confirmation of thediagnosis of Biliary Fever (See left picture, a single ormultiple piroform organisms showen within red blood cells).The veterinarian may draw blood to do a red blood cellcount, blood glucose and blood lactate tests depending onthe severity of the disease in order to institute rationaltherapy if required.Sometimes, in severe cases, the dogs require hospitalisationand intensive therapy, including blood transfusion,fluid therapy, oxygen supplementation and treatment ofvarious complications. To name a few complications:* Cerebral signs* Acute renal failure* Hypotensive shock* Pancreatitis* Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome etc.Can one vaccinate against Biliary Fever?No, there is no vaccination against Biliary Fever.22Biliary parasites in red blood cells. Cam’s quick stain, 1000Xmagnification.What are the symptoms to look out for?* Listlessness and a loss of appetite* Weakness; an unwillingness to get up* Pale or yellow gums* Dark or bloody urine* Vomit with a yellow tinge* A high fever in some instances* Rapid rate of breathingWhat should the dog owner do if he or she suspects BiliaryFever?Take your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic immediately,as the only medication that is successful in killing the biliaryparasite must be injected by a veterinarian. No homeremedies, tablets, syrups or powders will work. The soonerYellow gums of a dog with Biliary fever.How can I prevent Biliary Fever?Regular application of an anti-tick formulation will helpprevent the possibility of this disease. These products includedips, sprays, collars and pour on formulations. Use productsthat have a residual effect. This means that the product willstay on the dog and keep it free of ticks for a long period oftime and not only at the time of application of the product.Can dogs get Malaria?No, new research findings have elucidated many of themechanisms of Biliary disease, which parallel remarkablyclosely to many of the pathogenetic mechanisms associatedwith malaria in humans.Can humans get Biliary Fever?No, the biliary parasite is specie specific. Humans can gettick bite fever (Rickettsia conori) if bitten by ticks.