Canine
babesiosis typically causes
hemolytic anemia but also can result in multiple organ dysfunction. Human patients with severe disease often have persistent
hyperlactatemia, and blood
lactate concentration is correlated with survival rate. In dogs, blood
lactate concentration has been shown to be of prognostic value in patients with
gastric dilatation-
volvulus and in dogs admitted to intensive care units. Serial blood
lactate and
glucose concentrations and hematocrit on admission were determined in 90 dogs with naturally occurring, severe or complicated canine
babesiosis. Forty-five dogs (50%) had
hyperlactatemia (blood
lactate concentration >22.5 mg/dL) and 20 (22.2%) had
hypoglycemia (
blood glucose concentration <59.4 mg/dL) at presentation. Measurements significantly associated with mortality were
hypoglycemia on admission, blood
lactate concentration >45 mg/dL on admission, blood
lactate concentration >22.5 mg/dL at 8, 16, and 24 hours after admission, and increase or <50% decrease in blood
lactate concentration within 8 and 16 hours after admission. Blood
lactate concentration persistently >40 mg/dL indicated a very poor prognosis. We conclude that serial blood
lactate measurements are useful in predicting survival in dogs with severe and complicated canine
babesiosis.