Molecular PCR testing for Babesiosis

The good weather is in full swing, so we are spending more and more time in nature with our pets. Unfortunately, ticks have not disappeared, and we very often see puppies infected with babesiosis at the clinic. It is ideal when owners react promptly to changes in their pet’s behavior and rush to the veterinary clinic without delay. In such cases, medical treatment is usually sufficient and the puppy recovers quickly; however, we often have to treat the consequences of delayed babesiosis – anemia and kidney failure. These latter conditions are extremely serious and can result in death.

Thus, two factors are very important when dealing with babesiosis: quick reaction from the owners and prompt diagnosis of the disease. In practice, we encounter cases where babesiosis is suspected, but not all clinical symptoms typical of this disease (lethargy, elevated body temperature, dark urine color) are observed, and classical tests do not confirm the diagnosis. This is a very dangerous situation where the animal is treated non-specifically, and thus precious time is “wasted.” In such cases, molecular (PCR) testing for babesiosis is indispensable, as it is a highly specific and high-sensitivity research method.

Unlike serological tests, which are based on the formation of antibodies against a specific pathogen, molecular tests accurately determine the presence or absence of the pathogen in the test sample. This testing method allows for the earliest detection of the disease-causing agent.

We are extremely pleased that “Siaurio Šnauceris” veterinary clinics are the only clinics in Lithuania whose laboratories perform molecular diagnostic tests for infectious diseases.