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Why is my dog still testing positive for Babesia after treatment?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Male | unneutered | 2 years and 8 months old

On 12 may 2018 he was diagnosed with b.ginsoni positive and he has gone with the treatment for month till 12 June 2018 then in 19 June 2018 we had his CBC where his platelets come 202000 and yesterday on 24 July we again went for blood work where his platelets come 140000 and in blood smear it came again b.gibsoni positive & he is active eating and playing well that is why I asked when this b.gibsoni will going to come as negative in blood smear after the treatment has done

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By John C. Gicking, DVM, DACVECC

Veterinarian, Board-Certified Emergency/Critical Care Specialist

Published on July 25th, 2018

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Itis good that Bruno is feeling better. Babesia gibsoni can be very hard to completely clear and is an infection that can remain in hiding/dormant with no outward clinical signs. Therapy with variety of different medications has been tried with varying success. Months (2-3) of therapy is often needed. It is important that control of the vector (ticks) be a priority in preventing reinfection if the current infection is cleared.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 24th, 2018

    Hello. Unfortunately, there is no treatment that will completely clear a dog of this organism. There are combination treatments that may get the infection to low non-detectable levels on PCR, but the infection still remains. Treatment is usually reserved for patients showing signs of the disease. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 22nd, 2018

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I recommend treating Danny with a different drug. I think from your previous posts that he was only treated with doxycycline, which isn't the ideal choice for treatment. Discuss with your Vet a combination therapy of 3 antibiotics (I know I listed them for you last month) or imidocarb. Then retest in 2 months after treating again. Sadly no one has the perfect answer here. It seems doing nothing hasn't worked. If he was my dog and meeting several criteria for B gibsoni I would treat again with the correct medications. Good luck!

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