Abstract

Higher levels of urinary met-haemoglobin were found in dogs with naturally occurring Babesia canis infection (n = 6) than in control subjects (n = 5). The urinary haemoglobin in the affected cases ranged from 1 to 4 g/l of which 28-95% was met-haemoglobin. This was a significant finding in that met-haemoglobin has been shown to be nephrotoxic in the dog, especially in the presence of aciduria. Acidic urine was also demonstrated in those dogs with B. canis infection, which may aggravate the nephrotoxic effect of the met-haemoglobinuria. Thus naturally infected B. canis cases showing haemoglobinuria may in fact have significant met-haemoglobinaemia, which may predispose them to renal disease.