BABESIA Test for Dogs – Canine Babesia gibsoni Antibody Rapid At-Home Testing Kit LFIA

This test requires a dog’s serum, plasma, or whole blood sample.
You will need 2 drops of the specimen.

Each kit contains:

• Test cassette
• 40-μL disposable dropper
• 10-μL disposable dropper
• Centrifuge tube
• Buffer liquid tube
• Instructions Leaflet (one for every 10 tests)
• Color box packaging (one for every 10 tests)

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE:

100-pack includes:
– 100 sealed test cassettes
– 100 40-μL disposable droppers (inside the sealed cassette pouch)
– 100 10-μL disposable droppers (packed in pouches of 10)
– 100 centrifuge tubes (packed in pouches of 10)
– 100 buffer liquid tubes (packed in boxes of 10)
– 10 instruction leaflets (one for every 10 tests)
– 10 color box packages (one for every 10 tests)

50-pack includes:
– 50 sealed test cassettes
– 50 40-μL disposable droppers (inside the sealed cassette pouch)
– 50 10-μL disposable droppers (packed in pouches of 10)
– 50 centrifuge tubes (packed in pouches of 10)
– 50 buffer liquid tubes (packed in boxes of 10)
– 5 instruction leaflets (one for every 10 tests)
– 5 color box packages (one for every 10 tests)

20-pack includes:
– 20 sealed test cassettes
– 20 40-μL disposable droppers (inside the sealed cassette pouch)
– 20 10-μL disposable droppers (packed in pouches of 10)
– 20 centrifuge tubes (packed in pouches of 10)
– 20 buffer liquid tubes (packed in boxes of 10)
– 2 instruction leaflets (one for every 10 tests)
– 2 color box packages (one for every 10 tests)

You will need syringes to collect the blood. The test kit does NOT include blood collection equipment.

The test can be performed with or without a centrifuge:

• If using whole blood, you will only need a syringe.
• If using serum or plasma, you will need a syringe and a centrifuge.

1. Read the instructions carefully before starting the test.
2. Collect a blood sample from your dog (syringes are NOT included). You can use whole blood directly as a sample. Alternatively, you can centrifuge whole blood to obtain plasma or place it in a tube with anticoagulants to obtain serum. Once the sample is ready, the Lepto test takes just 10–15 minutes to complete.
3. Prepare the test: Remove the test cassette from the foil pouch and place it on a flat surface.
4. Mix the sample: Use the enclosed narrow-tip 10-μL dropper to add 2 drops of the specimen (serum, plasma, or whole blood) into the buffer liquid tube.
   Close the tube and shake well to mix.
5. Apply the sample to the test cassette: Open the tube and use the enclosed wide-tip 40-μL dropper to place 3 drops into the S (sample) window on the cassette.
6. Wait 5–10 minutes and read the results.

The test is valid for 16 months or more from the date of purchase.

What is Babesia?

Babesia is a tiny parasite that infects a dog’s red blood cells. It causes a disease called babesiosis, sometimes known as “dog malaria” because it is similar to human malaria. It is spread by ticks and can range from mild to life-threatening.

What Makes B. gibsoni Different?

Unlike other Babesia species that are spread only by ticks, B. gibsoni has a unique and concerning feature: it can spread directly from dog to dog through bite wounds. This makes it a serious problem in fighting breeds and multi-dog households.

Where is B. gibsoni Found?

B. gibsoni has a worldwide distribution. It is most common in:

• Asia: Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, India

• Europe: France, Italy, Germany, Hungary

• Australia

• North America (most commonly in Pit Bull Terriers)

Size: Small (1–2.5 microns)

Severity: Moderate to severe – ranges from no symptoms to life-threatening anemia

How Do Dogs Get Infected?

B. gibsoni can spread through several routes. Dog bite wounds are the most common.

Key point: Suspect B. gibsoni even if there are no ticks. If a dog has a history of fighting or lives with dogs that fight, this parasite should be on your list.

Clinical Signs

Dogs can range from having no symptoms to being very sick. Chronic, relapsing infections are common.

Common signs:

• Lethargy and weakness

• Pale gums (anemia)

• Fever (comes and goes)

• Dark red or brown urine

• Enlarged spleen

• Weight loss

• Poor appetite

Severe signs (less common):

• Yellow gums or eyes (jaundice)

• Severe anemia that requires blood transfusion

• Bleeding tendencies

• Kidney injury

Important to know:

• Subclinical carriers: Many infected dogs show no signs but can still spread the parasite through bites.

• Relapses: Dogs that recover often become chronic carriers and may get sick again during stress or illness.

Prognosis (Outlook)

Key clinical realities:

• Complete elimination of the parasite is rare. Most dogs remain low-level carriers for life.

• Relapses are common, especially during stress or if the dog receives steroids.

• Treatment does NOT make the dog non-infectious. Carriers can still spread the parasite through bites.

• Long-term management focuses on controlling symptoms, preventing relapses, and stopping bite transmission in multi-dog homes.

How is B. gibsoni Different from Other Babesia Species?

Here are the most important differences:

Clinical pearl: On a blood smear, B. gibsoni looks like small rings at the edge of the red blood cell. Large Babesia species look like pear-shaped pairs.

Key Takeaways for Practice

1. Bite transmission is unique to B. gibsoni. No other Babesia spreads this way.

2. Complete cure is rare. Most dogs remain chronic carriers.

3. Relapses are common. Stress, illness, or steroids can trigger a relapse.

4. Prevent dog fights. This is the most important way to control spread in multi-dog households.

5. Test new dogs before introducing them to a home with resident dogs.