| Journal of Animal Biology & Therapeutics
Received: 10 August 2026; Revised: 13 September 2026; Accepted: 25 September 2026; Published Online: 28 September 2026.
J. Anim. Biol. Ther., 2026, 1(1), 26704 | Volume 1 Issue 1 (September 2026) | DOI: https://doi.org/10.64189/abt.26704
© The Author(s) 2026
This article is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC-BY-NC 4.0)
A Case Report of Babesia sp. in Feline Host: Diagnosis
and Successful Outcome
Farhan Eravaramkunnath,
1*
Fathima Dhina,
2
Arya Ramachandran Nair Sujatha Devi
3
and Bindhu Lakshmanan
4
1
The Cochin Pet Hospital, Ernakulam, Kerala, 682020, India
2
College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Kerala, 680651, India
3
District Veterinary Centre, Palakkad, Kerala, 678001, India
4
Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Kerala, 680651, India
*Email: drfarhanhamza@gmail.com (Farhan Eravaramkunnath)
Abstract
Babesiosis is a disease of mammals including cats caused by a hemoparasitic protozoan Babesia sp. affecting
erythrocytes and vascular endothelium. A two-year-old, intact male, Persian cat with an indooroutdoor
lifestyle was presented to the District Veterinary Centre, Palakkad, Kerala, with a history of persistent vomiting,
progressive lethargy, and anorexia. Hematological analysis demonstrated marked anemia, thrombocytopenia,
and leukopenia. Microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smear prepared from ear tip
revealed the presence of Babesia organisms within erythrocytes. Based on morphological characteristics, a
presumptive diagnosis of feline babesiosis was made; however, definitive species-level identification remained
inconclusive due to the absence of molecular characterization. The cat was treated with a combination therapy
consisting of diminazene aceturate and doxycycline. The animal showed rapid clinical improvement, with
resolution of clinical signs and had an uneventful recovery. This case highlights the importance of hematological
and blood smear evaluation for early detection of feline babesiosis, alongside low-cost molecular methods for
species confirmation and the potential efficacy of combination therapy.
Keywords: Babesia sp.; Cat, Kerala; Diminazene aceturate; Anemia; Palakkad.
1. Introduction
Babesia
BabesiaB. felisB. catiB.
herpailuriB. pantherae
B. canis B. gibsoni
Babesia felis
Babesia
Babesia
Babesia
The animal was initially treated with an intramuscular injection of diminazene aceturate (Berenil®, MSD) at a
dose of 3.5 mg/kg. Additionally, doxycycline was administered orally at 10 mg/kg (Doxypet, Savavet) for a
duration of 21 days. Supportive care, including fluid administration, multivitamin injections, and oral
haematinics, was also provided as per the requirement. The animal was handled humanely throughout the
diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. All clinical interventions were performed in accordance with standard
veterinary practices, with appropriate measures taken to minimize pain, stress, and suffering. Care was taken
improvement. After 21 days, hematological parameters returned to normal and the cat had an uneventful
recovery.
3. Results and discussion
et al.
et al.
Babesia panickeri et al.
et al.et al.
Mycoplasma haemofelis
Babesia felisBabesia
Babesia
BabesiaB. felis, B. canis B. lengau
Babesia
Babesia
Babesia
Babesia
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