Dog Diseases Seen In Beijing

 Reposted from theBeijinger forum:

 In the last month, two cases of Erlichia and one case of Babesia have been diagnosed. These are sub-tropical infections that should not be seen in Beijing. The most likely explanation is that with increased dog mobility, be it within China or from overseas, the parasite has been brought to Beijing's warmer summer climate in the last 2-3 months and is re-cycling through the tick population.

Ehrlichia is a type of bacteria that infects different blood cells in various
animal species and in humans. In dogs the bacteria are Ehrlichia canis and
Ehrlichia ewingii. This organism is primarily transmitted by ticks.

Dogs may present with variable clinical signs but bleeding tendencies are the
most consistent presenting complaint in both the acute and chronic stages of the
disease. Other clinical signs include non-specific multi-systemic disorder with the
primary complaints being depression, lethargy, mild weight loss, vomiting,
diarrhea, and anorexia, with or without hemorrhagic tendencies.

The chronic condition is commonly suspected when there is excessive bleeding
during surgery. Treatment is usually routine over a minimum of 3 weeks but the Ehrlichia can rarely re-occur.

 
Babesia species are protozoal organisms that parasitize red blood cells causing
anemia. Many different species exist with varying host specificity. B. canis and
B. gibsoni are two organisms commonly known to infect dogs. Both organisms have tick vectors. Infection by B. gibsoni is increasing in frequency, particularly in North America.
There also is evidence that some direct animal-to-animal transmission may occur,
as when an infected dog with oral abrasions bites a naïve dog.
 
Cases of canine babesiosis may present with a wide variation of clinical signs,
ranging from collapse, severe bleeding and shock to a chronic sub-clinical
infection presenting with signs of general ill-thrift and depression.
 

Unfortunately treatment for Babesia is highly complicated, can be dangerous to
your dog and not always effective with recurrence being common.

 
If you are worried for your pooch, contact your vet for further information. Looking for vets in Beijing? See our Directory at: www.beijing-kids.com/directory/Family-Life/Veterinarians
 
Photo by Kara Chin.