<div>Background:&nbsp;Ticks are of great importance in transmission of various canine tick borne diseases. Several characteristics of ticks make them outstanding vectors of pathogenic agents, the wide host range and slow feeding habit along with tendency to feed on several hosts during life cycle ensures ample opportunity to acquire and transmit pathogens. 
 
Methods: This study focuses on status of canine tick vectors and molecular detection of haemoparasites in these ticks and their host, in and around Kolkata. The blood and tick samples were collected from Dog Ward, Department of Teaching Veterinary and Clinical Complex; Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, WBUAFS at Belgachia; Veterinary Clinic of Kolkata Police Dog Squad at Alipore; Veterinary Clinic of Barrackpore Police dog Squad and samples from stray dogs were also collected from inside the University campus through a period of one year (August, 2016 to July, 2017).&nbsp; 
 
Result: The tick infestation was recorded at 41% with Rhipicephalus sanguineus, being the only tick. Nine primer sets were used for detection of Babesia spp, Ehrlichia canis, Ehrlichia chaffensis, Babesia gibsoni, Hepatozoon canis, Mycoplasma haemocanis, Anaplasma platys and Theileria annae from the respective tick samples and blood sample of hosts. Tick samples were found positive for Babesia spp, Ehrlichia spp. and H. canis where as the corresponding blood samples were found positive for Babesia spp, Ehrlichia spp., Mycoplasma spp. and H. canis. This study conclusively provides evidence of high rates of incidence of haemoparasitic infection or canine tick borne diseases infection and tick infestation, with at least four haemoparasites infecting the dog population and at least one tick species (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) infesting the dogs in and around Kolkata.</div>

Incidence of Canine Tick Vectors and Molecular Detection of Haemoparasites in Vectors and Hosts

Background: Thrombocytopenia is the decrease in the number of platelets in blood. In dogs, thrombocytopenia occurs due to a multitude of aetiologies such as haemoprotozoal infections, bacterial infections, viral infections, non-infectious etiologies such as immune dysregulation, neoplasia and even due to miscellaneous conditions. Diagnosis of thrombocytopenia is done mostly by estimation of platelet count in automated haematology analysers and by evaluation of platelet count in blood smears. As clinical research focusing exclusively on canine thrombocytopenia is very limited in India, the present study was carried out to study the aetiology of canine thrombocytopenia and to obtain extensive information regarding qualitative and quantitative changes in platelets in various emergency conditions of dogs. 
 
Methods: 450 dogs were diagnosed with thrombocytopenia based on platelet count and a detailed investigation was carried out on the thrombocytopenic dogs to identify the aetiologic agents and to record the quantitative and qualitative changes in platelets. 
 
Result: Population incidence of thrombocytopenia in critically ill dog population was recorded as 34.09 per cent. Haemoparasitic infection, renal disorders, hyperthermia and sepsis were recorded as the major causes of thrombocytopenia. Haematobiochemical investigation revealed a significant reduction (p&lt;0.01) of hemoglobin, RBC and PCV values and elevation in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and phosphorus. A mortality of 10.67% (48/450) was recorded in the thrombocytopenic dogs.

Incidence of Canine Tick Vectors and Molecular Detection of Haemoparasites in Vectors and Hosts

Clinico-Pathological Evaluation of Critically Ailing Dogs with Special Reference to Thrombocytopenia