Babesiosis Dogs can also contract a disease called babesiosis, caused, appropriately enough, by Babesia canis . This pathogen, as with Ehrlichiosis, is carried by the brown dog tick, an extremely common species of tick that is found throughout the world. Dogs that have contracted babesiosis frequently show no evident clinical signs, though they may develop a chronic malady characterized by intermittent fever, depressed appetite, and general loss of body condition. Should the disease become acute, the unfortunate victims often go into shock, become comatose, and die within one day of showing lethargy and a loss of appetite. This disease is not easy to identify, but when it is diagnosed, your veterinarian can treat it with antibabesial drugs and nutrition therapy.
Cats can also contract babesiosis, though far less commonly than do dogs.
In this case, the pathogenic organism is Babesia felis. Most of the feline victims of this disease are under two years old-it's not understood why older cats don't seem to contract babesiosis. Infected cats become lethargic and lose their appetites, and may develop diarrhea and a rough coat. Cats showing these signs after a tick bite should be taken to the vet immediately for treatment. Cytauxzoon A particularly virulent tick-carried disease that affects cats is caused by Cytauxzoon felis.