Babesia canis

Babesia
Class	Sporozoasida
Family	Babesiidae
Genus	Babesia
Species	Babesia canis

Also known as:

Canine piroplasmosis

Hosts

Dogs.

Identification

This parasite is of the family Babesiidae. The adults are pyriform in shape, and around 5μm in length.

Life Cycle

Sporozoites enter the host, when the tick feeds. These reproduce in the erythrocytes of the host. Merogony then occurs, and releases merozoites. Blood is ingested by the tick. When the larval tick moults into the nymphal stage, and enters the salivary glands. The life cycle then continues.

B. canis uses Rhipicephalus as a vector and is spreading throughout Europe.