With babesiosis, pathogens multiply in red blood cells (erythrocytes) and destroy them; this causes inflammation and haemolysis (the destruction of red blood cells, which causes anaemia). Haemoglobin begins to be released and goes into the kidneys, which is why the urine gets darker. If the renal tubules are blocked, the kidneys can no longer perform their basic functions. Anticipating and stopping complications is difficult. If surgical help is not provided, the disease ends in death.

More sensitive breeds for which the probability of complications is increased include: Akita Inu, West Siberian Laika, Siberian Husky and Scottish Terrier. Crossbreeds tend to be more resilient.

One in five pets with babesiosis develops complications. In acute disease, renal insufficiency occurs in 80-90% of animals, in which case only haemodialysis can help save the animal’s life. Before this procedure appeared, babesiosis complications in animals were a death sentence, as the kidneys were irreversibly damaged.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF DIALYSIS?  HOW IS THE PROCEDURE PERFORMED?

There are two types of dialysis:

• Haemodialysis is where a machine with a special filter is connected to clean the blood from unnecessary substances. The blood purification does not take place inside the animal’s body, but outside it, as the blood flows through “artificial blood vessels”. Haemodialysis is an effective form of renal replacement therapy, but it does not completely replace the kidney function. In case of acute onset and rapid progression of renal insufficiency, haemodialysis is done until kidney function begins to improve and they themselves are able to remove harmful substances from the body.
• Peritoneal dialysis. In peritoneal dialysis, the peritoneum (the membrane lining the abdominal wall) acts as a semi-permeable dialysis membrane, through which unnecessary substances move and fluids are removed. A cleansing fluid called “dialysate” passes through a catheter tube into the abdominal cavity, where it is left for a while so the blood cleansing can take place. Then the fluid is drawn back out of the body and discarded. The procedure is repeated as needed.

It is important to note that veterinary haemodialysis is much more complicated than human haemodialysis, since the pet must be under general anaesthesia during the procedure. The animal’s body must adapt gradually; at first the procedure takes half an hour, and then is extended after evaluating the indicators. Haemodialysis is only done when there is no other way to save the pet.

We are proud to offer this complex procedure to save the lives of your beloved pets.