Babesiosis in dogs – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: ESCCAP

Contact a vet today

Contact your vet today if you think your dog has this – it can become serious. It is babesiosis involving Babesia vulpes / B. microti-like, and dogs may get it from the suspected parasite Ixodes hexagonus.

What to do now

What you can do now

  1. Contact your vet.
  2. Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
  3. Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
  4. Keep fresh water available.
  5. Let your dog rest somewhere calm.

Don't

  • Do not give any human medicine.
  • Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is and how it spreads

Babesiosis in dogs is linked to Babesia vulpes / B. microti-like and Ixodes hexagonus.[1] Possible signs include apathy, loss of appetite, fever, severe anaemia and haemoglobinuria.[1] It occurs in parts of north-western, southern and western Europe, and also in Sweden.[1]

Signs

  • Apathy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fever
  • Severe anaemia
  • Haemoglobinuria

How pets pick it up

  • Ixodes hexagonus

Where in Europe it occurs

CountryOccurrence
FrancePresent
ItalyPresent
PortugalPresent
SpainPresent
SwedenPresent

What the experts say

“Babesia microti-like/ Babesia vulpes Ixodes hexagonus1 Dogs, foxes Northwestern Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, France, Sweden”

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

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Common questions

How can dogs get babesiosis?

It is linked to Ixodes hexagonus.[1]

What signs can babesiosis cause in dogs?

Signs can include apathy, loss of appetite, fever, severe anaemia and haemoglobinuria.[1]

Where in Europe does it occur?

It occurs in parts of north-western, southern and western Europe, and also in Sweden.[1]

Sources

  1. ESCCAP

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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