Babesiosis is a disease of the red blood cells caused by infection with 1 of a number of species of the tick-borne parasite, Babesia.
 

In dogs, the symptoms of babesiosis can include: loss of appetite, fever, anaemia , weakness and coffee-coloured urine. It can be fatal.
 

Babesiosis does not normally occur in the UK. However, it is more common in Europe, Africa and Asia, and there is a risk:
 

• to pets that travel to these areas
• that travelling pets may return to the UK with this disease, and help it establish here.

The latter of these 2 risks is considered serious enough that in 2003, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched Dog and Cat Travel and Risk Information (DACTARI), a scheme through which the disease can be monitored and reported.  Thankfully, the number of cases reported in the UK each year remains low (13 confirmed, and 2 suspected between 2003-2006).
 

Nevertheless, you should be aware of this disease, and seek immediate veterinary care for your dog if it exhibits any of the above symptoms after returning from a trip abroad.