R. Jefferies and others, Murdoch University, Western Australia

Babesia gibsoni is protozoan parasite infecting the erythrocytes of domestic and wild dogs, causing fever, haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopaenia, splenomegaly and sometimes death. It can be transmitted by several species of tick but there have been some cases of apparent dog to dog transmission.

Often these involved dogs of fighting breeds and it has been suggested that blood transfer during fights may be the transmission route. The authors found 14 dogs positive for this parasite, all of which were American pit bull terriers. 

Australian Veterinary Journal 85 (11) 459-463.

Abstract reproduced by kind permission of Veterinary Practice magazine