Difference between revisions of "Neosporosis - Dog"

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==Diagnosis==
 
==Diagnosis==
 
===Clinical Signs===
 
===Clinical Signs===
 +
Young dogs:
 
* Ascending paralysis
 
* Ascending paralysis
 
* Muscle atrophy
 
* Muscle atrophy
 
* Rigid limbs, affecting hind limbs more than forelimbs
 
* Rigid limbs, affecting hind limbs more than forelimbs
 +
* Dysphagia
 +
* Ataxia
 +
* Death
  
 +
Older dogs:
 +
* Seizures
 +
* Tremors
 +
* Cerebellar disease
 +
* Myocarditis
  
**Occurs mainly in puppies
+
More than 1 puppy in a litter may be affected, although this may not occur simultaneously. Successive litters affected
**Causes ascending paralysis, especially of hind limbs, with muscle wasting
 
**Causes sudden collapse due to myocarditis
 
**More than 1 puppy in a litter may be affected, although this may not occur simultaneously
 
**Successive litters affected
 
  
 
==Treatment==
 
==Treatment==

Revision as of 20:59, 9 September 2010



Description

Neosporosis is the disease caused by the intracellular protozoa Neospora caninum. The dog is the definitive host, cattle are the intermediate host and other mamalian species may act as incidental hosts. In the past N.caninum has been confused with T.gondii because they are similar morphologically, but advancements in detection methods has made the two distinguishable.


Signalment

Puppies are most frequently affected. Hunting dogs are also over represented.

Diagnosis

Clinical Signs

Young dogs:

  • Ascending paralysis
  • Muscle atrophy
  • Rigid limbs, affecting hind limbs more than forelimbs
  • Dysphagia
  • Ataxia
  • Death

Older dogs:

  • Seizures
  • Tremors
  • Cerebellar disease
  • Myocarditis

More than 1 puppy in a litter may be affected, although this may not occur simultaneously. Successive litters affected

Treatment

Prognosis

References

  • Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition) Merial
  • Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C.G. (2009) Small Animal Internal Medicine (Fourth Edition) Mosby Elsevier
  • Tilley, L.P. and Smith, F.W.K.(2004)The 5-minute Veterinary Consult (Third edition) Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins