Open AccessAzotemia and Mortality among Babesia microti‐Like Infected Dogs
Author(s) -
Camacho A. Tomas,
Guitian F. Javier,
Pallas Estrella,
Gestal Juan Jesus,
Olmeda A. Sonia,
Goethert Heidi K.,
III Sam R. Telford,
Spielman Andrew
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2004.tb00152.x
Subject(s) - azotemia , medicine , hypoalbuminemia , hypoproteinemia , mortality rate , risk factor , gastroenterology , renal function
Babesia microti‐like piroplasms are a recently recognized cause of illness in dogs in northwest Spain. Our objective was to describe the clinical characteristics and investigate the risk factors for azotemia and death among 58 B microti‐like infected dogs. Twenty‐one of the 58 (36%) dogs were azotemic at the time that the infection was diagnosed. The case fatality rate during the following week was 22%. Dogs with azotemia at the time of diagnosis were 10 times (95% CI, 3.26–28.8) more likely to die during the following week. Azotemia was the main cause of death for B microti‐like infected dogs (attributable fraction = 90%). Severe anemia was present in 45 of the 58 (78%) dogs. Azotemic dogs also presented with hyperphosphatemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypercholesterolemia, proteinuria, and high urine protein: creatinine ratios, suggesting a glomerular component to the disease. Age was the only factor significantly associated with the risk of azotemia (P = .042): on average, a 4‐year age increase doubled the risk of an infected dog being azotemic. The only factor significantly associated with mortality was azotemia (P = .001). We concluded that B microti‐like infection is associated with a high risk of azotemia and mortality.