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

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