Prevalence of Babesiosis in Cats in Lahore, Pakistan

An epidemiological study was conducted at Pet centre, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore for the prevalence of Babesiosis in cats. A total of (n=5,183) cats, during the year January 2007 to December 2009 were examined. The monthly prevalence of Babesiosis and distribution by age breed and gender were calculated by chi square test for comparison. The overall prevalence was 163 (3.14%) with significant difference (p > 0.05) among the different seasons. The prevalence rate was high during the year and the peak was found in summer and autumn. The passive surveillance /prevalence rate in male was 70(2.69%) and in females 93(3.6%). Overall prevalence rate of Babesiosis according to age were high with 28 (4.55%) among the cat age group of 25 months and above, 20(2.32%) in cats of 13 months to 24 months, 62(2.13%) in below six months, and 53(1.47%) in seven to 12 months and. Overall prevalence according to breeds were calculated in cross breed cats 106(3.22%), Persian 22(2.72%), Siamese 35(3.27%) and Himalayan 0( 0.00%)