Characterisation of Blood Coagulation Disorders in Canine Babesiosis Cases in Ibadan, Oyo State

Babesiosis, caused by Babesia canis and related species transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks, is one of the most serious haemoparasitic diseases in dogs in tropical Nigeria, presenting with haemolytic anaemia, immune activation, and, in severe cases, disseminated intravascular coagulation. Ibadan, Oyo State, South West Nigeria, has documented Babesia canis in the canine population, but the spectrum of coagulation abnormalities associated with clinical babesiosis in Nigerian dogs has not been characterised. This study evaluated coagulation profiles in 40 dogs with confirmed Babesia canis infection by blood smear and PCR compared with 20 healthy controls presented at veterinary clinics in Ibadan. Coagulation parameters measured included prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin clotting time, D-dimer, fibrinogen, antithrombin III, and platelet count. Clinical severity was classified using a validated babesiosis severity scoring system. Platelet counts were severely reduced in 62.5 percent of babesiosis cases, with a mean of 48 x 10 to the ninth per litre versus 312 x 10 to the ninth per litre in controls. Prothrombin time and APTT were prolonged in 45 percent of cases. D-dimer was significantly elevated in all babesiosis cases and correlated positively with severity score. Antithrombin III was significantly reduced in severe cases, indicating consumption. Fibrinogen was initially elevated then markedly reduced in seven dogs with overt DIC. Mortality was highest in dogs with combined severe thrombocytopenia and DIC evidence. These findings characterise the coagulopathic spectrum of canine babesiosis in Ibadan and support aggressive coagulation monitoring in severe cases. Keywords: babesiosis, coagulation, DIC, dogs, Ibadan.