MET-HEMOGLOBINURIA IN NATURALLY-OCCURRING BABESIA-CANIS INFECTION

Higher levels of urinary met-haemoglobin were found in dogs with natur ally occurring Babesia canis infection (n = 6) than in control subject s (n = 5). The urinary haemoglobin in the affected cases ranged from 1 to 4 g/l of which 28-59% was met-haemoglobin This was a significant b inding in that met-haemoglobin has been shown to be nephrotoxic in the dog, especially in the presence ol aciduria, Acidic urine was also de monstrated in those dogs with B. canis infection, which may aggravate the nephrotoxic effect of the met-haemoglobinuria. Thus naturally infe cted B. canis cases showing haemoglobinuria may in fact have significa nt met-haemoglobinaemia, which may predispose them to renal disease.