Breeding with babesia

I have a female who just came in season I'd like to breed to a male that 100% has babesia.

I've actually put off breedings because I didn't want to infect the females through breeding.

With all the extensive reading and research I've done there's no real information on if males can pass it through breeding I haven't come up with a definitive answer. I do know definitely females do pass it to the pups.

I was just curious if anyone has any first hand experience on the matter or possible material I haven't read on the matter.

And the whole "I'd just cull him" ship sailed years ago so that's not an option at this point.

 

ai or natural breeding?

 

Males can pass it to females through breeding naturally. It's a blood borne pathogen so mating/fighting or any activity that can cause even the slightest amount of blood can cause infection. It's particularly listed females because they are already bleeding from being in heat. Probably less likely to contract male to female during breeding than female to male but any hint of babesia for me is a no go.

Hell, I just heard a rumor one time when I was set up to breed to ch Jethro that he had it. Was enough for me to pull the plug on the breeding. Natural or A.I I wasn't taking the chance. Others may have risked it, I however will not. Whether he actually had it or not I never really got verification of but I just went a different way with my program instead. If I was going to go though with it, I'd do it A.I.

Here's a write up with some good info. It has his number at the bottom. May not hurt to see if it's still his # and ask him personally any questions regarding bebesia.

BABESIOSIS IN PIT BULL TERRIERS
By
Chris Cook, RVT
Protatek Reference Laboratory

There are two species of Babesia which may affect dogs: Babesia canis and
Babesia gibsoni. While any breed of dog is susceptible to infection with Babesia
spp., infections appear to be more endemic among Greyhounds and Pit Bulls. Pit
Bull Terriers and related breeds are more prone than any other breed to be infected
with, and serve as carriers of, Babesia gibsoni. Although canine babesiosis affects
dogs worldwide, in the United States B. canis and B. gibsoni are more prevalent in
southern and central, and eastern states, respectively. However, due to the
transient nature of people and the transfer of dog ownership, there is no state
unaffected. In some countries where babesiosis is not known to occur, a pre-export negative B. canis and/or B.gibsoni test is required prior to allowing entry
How does infection occur?
In nature, Babesia spp. is transmitted primarily by ticks. Rhipicephalus
sanguineous (brown dog tick) is responsible for the transmission of B. canis
whereas R. sanguineous and Dermacentor spp. of ticks are believed to transmit B.
gibsoni. An infected tick must feed on a dog for 2-3 days to transfer the babesia
organism. Once this transfer occurs, the babesia organism continues to develop as
it moves through the blood stream and invades red blood cells (rbc). When the
organism matures in the rbc, that cell will rupture and release the organisms into
the blood stream to infect additional rbcs. Although babesiosis is primarily
considered to be a tick-borne disease it can also be transmitted by dog bites, blood
transfusions, contaminated needles or surgical instruments. In utero transmission from dam to pups may also occur. Dog bites and in utero transmission are most
likely the primary means by which B. gibsoni is perpetuated within the Pit Bull
breeds. Clinical signs and pathology
Clinical babesiosis is generally most severe in puppies and dogs less than 2 years
of age. Clinical signs such as weakness, pale color, fever, anorexia, enlarged lymph nodes, depression, enlarged spleen and/or liver and a rapid pulse may be
exhibited by some dogs affected with babesiosis. The spleen serves as a major
source in the immune defense against babesia infections as it is directly involved in sequestration and destruction of the organisms. Thus, the disease can be
devastating in dogs that have had a splenectomy (spleen removed) or have an
autoimmune disorder, thereby compromising their natural immune defenses. The anemia which may develop is due to the direct parasitic destruction of rbcs or by the consumption of infected rbcs by the immune system. In many cases, there is a marked decrease in platelets. In some cases, icterus and elevated liver enzymes and bile acids will develop, suggesting liver disease which may be directly or indirectly due to the babesia infection. Affected dogs may develop an acute onset of neurologic signs which may include muscle tremors, incoordination, hind limb paralysis, nystagmus, seizures, stupor and coma. The onset of cerebral babesiosis is due primarily to the clogging of small capillaries of the brain with infected rbcs which attach by receptors to the endothelial cells lining the capillaries resulting in lowered blood flow and hemorrhages. While many normal healthy dogs will have no outward symptoms at all, these dogs can serve as carriers of infection and will spread the disease to other dogs via tick transmission, dog bites and in utero
transmission. During times of stress, due to other disease processes or mental
situations, carrier dogs may also have a relapse of the disease and exhibit clinical
signs. Dogs diagnosed with autoimmune hemolytic anemia or liver disease should
have babesia on the list of rule outs as to the cause.

How is Babesia diagnosed?
In dogs acutely infected with babesia, organisms may be observed on a blood
smear, especially from a blood specimen obtained from a capillary source (ear,
toenail). If babesia organisms are found, the patient is confirmed infected.
However, the organism can be hard to find and may rarely be found in samples
from chronically infected dogs or carrier dogs that aren't showing symptoms of the
disease. If organisms cannot be detected, there are other methods for testing. The
indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test is performed on serum or plasma and is
used to establish antibody titers to B. canis and B. gibsoni. However, if it is
extremely early in the disease process or in an animal that is immunosuppressed,
antibodies may not be present. Antibody titers may be measured at varying
magnitudes in asymptomatic carrier dogs such as affected Pit Bulls. A titer is a
measurement of the amount or concentration of antibodies in a blood sample and can be helpful in determining whether medical treatment should be a consideration in carrier dogs. In general, the higher the titer, the greater the chances that an asymptomatic carrier dog actually has a circulating parasitemia and is more
capable of transmitting the infection under the right conditions. Due to the endemic status within the breed, all Pit Bulls and related breeds should be routinely screened for infection with babesia, particularly B. gibsoni, especially
female Pit Bulls intended for breeding. In addition, any blood donor dog should be
tested prior to joining a donor program and periodically during their blood donor
career. The IFA test for B. canis and B. gibsoni is available through specialized
diagnostic laboratories, such as Protatek Reference Laboratory.

http://www.protatek.com/RefLab/index2.htm

Molecular diagnosis of Babesia spp. infection in dogs via polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) of whole blood has become available. This is an extremely
sensitive test that can be used to diagnose babesiosis and distinguish between the
different species. However, there have been issues with false positive/negative
results. To avoid this, blood samples should be collected early in the course of
clinical disease, before medications have been started and submitted to an
experienced, quality lab.

Treatment

Canine babesiosis is treatable, however, not necessarily curable (i.e. chemotherapy
can reduce/ eliminate symptoms but the dog may still test positive and may remain
as a permanent carrier). Infections caused by Babesia canis are more readily
cleared than those caused by B. gibsoni.
Doxycycline and Clindamycin are affordable, generally well tolerated treatment options for dogs with low to moderate titers against B. canis and showing mild clinical signs of babesiosis. However, these drugs will not clear the infection.

In the US the "big gun" treatment is Imidocarb Dipropionate ( Immizol). The drug is usually administered in 2 injections (given 2 weeks apart). The drug is most
effective in clearing infections caused by B. canis. Although the drug is beneficial
in treating clinical disease caused by B. gibsoni, it is less effective in clearing the
infection caused by this agent. Side effects are generally of short duration and may
include, but are not limited to: muscle tremors, hypersalivation, elevated heart rate, shivering, fever, facial swelling, tearing of the eyes, restlessness and bowel
evacuation. The injection is expensive and painful. It should be given deep into
the muscle and administered only by qualified veterinarians. Pre-treatment with an injection of atropine may help alleviate or prevent potential side effects. In dogs
that are exhibiting low antibody titers and are asymptomatic, this treatment is not
worth the risks and side effects.

Prevention

Tick control. Carefully remove ticks asap.
If blood transfusion is needed, confirm that blood is from a babesia negative dog. (as well as other tick- borne diseases).
Prevent potential for dog to dog bites, dog fights. Avoid situations that involve contaminated needles/surgical instruments.
Do not breed female dogs seropositive for babesia, B. gibsoni in particular.
Thank you for choosing Protatek Reference Lab.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 480.545.8499.

 

If you got no better option then to breed sick dogs you need to reevaluate your “program”

 

Open to either. Heard ai was safest route by arm chair experts

 

Cali Jack claimed he could cure it too. Reality is, cure and non-detectable are not the same thing.

I just always assumed it was more prevalent in the breed because of their job. It comes from tick bites but it's passed on like HIV is in humans. Contact with infected blood. Makes sense the APBT would show a higher rate of infection than other breeds.

 

I reached out to the owners of the babesia carriers littermate brother. They are willing to let me breed to him so that's the route we'll most likely take to eliminate any issues of passing the babesia to the female and pups.

I appreciate all the replies

 

Dumbest thing I ever hear was take bleach and hydrogenperoxide put into a needle and shoot the dog up in the belly button lol

 

So whats puts It into remission ?

 

Immozal and doxy...

But that's not a guarantee. Depends on the dog. I've seen one put in remission with just doxy, seen them not get any meds and survive. Seen the kitchen sink thrown at them and they starve themselves to death because of the anemia.

It's a horrible way to see a dog die.

 

I used To send Immozal To people , I havent ask about this in awhile . This from my days in the early 2000s . There are two strains of the Babesia
There is the Gibsoni and another , cant remember the other one . Immozal = Gibsoni and for the Second Nobody Had anything . Later one I found a company in South Africa , they had a Powder you in
water , that Help allot and put IT in remission.
Stress on the dogs is a big Factor .
I'll try To find the find the company.
A bottle of Imizol cost about 500 US Dollars around
That time
PLZ

 

I can get a bottle for $300. The stuff from south Africa is used on cattle to combat red river fever or something like that.

We had it bad for a few years. I had it whittled down to only 2 left with it. One passed last week the other is the one in question.

 

At that time Nobody could get ahold of IT .
Im Glad its allot cheaper.
That stuff from South Africa really helped , I have allot people that uesd IT and we're very Happy.
Its Just a damn shame that there isnt anything To wipe IT Out compleately

 

give a threatment and do AI
if u can centrifuge even better

 

Hello everyone
My experience, I raised a dog diagnosed with Babesia, treated and "cured" with doxycycline.
The son is now 4 years old, a month ago, I left him at a friend's house and when he came I saw him strange, tired without spark.
I did an analysis, everything ok, which means that the mother did not transmit it to him.
I have always believed, perhaps erroneously, that once the mother passed it, the children were "immunized" I do not have much knowledge of medicine but what is true, mother with babesia treated, I have son without any symptoms or anything in analysis.
this is my experience.

regards

 

Breeding to diseased bitches is right up your street, say hello to the wife. Lol