Prophylactic treatment of experimental canine babesiosis (Babesia canis) with doxycycline.
Doxycycline provided satisfactory prophylaxis against experimental infection with a highly pathogenic strain of Babesia canis. Rectal temperature, parasitaemia, packed cell volume and serology were monitored for evaluation of the prophylactic effect. Although a daily dose of 5 mg kg-1 of doxycycline did not completely prevent clinical disease, symptoms remained moderate and a full recovery was obtained within 1 week. At a dose of 20 mg kg-1 day-1 no clinical symptoms were observed, but asymptomatic infection could not be ruled out.
Vercammen
F
F
Veterinary Department, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
De Deken
R
R
Maes
L
L
D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001831:Body Temperature; D004285:Dogs; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever; D008297:Male; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D004318:Doxycycline