Difference between revisions of "Neosporosis - Dog"

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The sexual phase of replication takes place in the gastrointestinal tract of dogs, oocysts are passed in the faeces     
 
The sexual phase of replication takes place in the gastrointestinal tract of dogs, oocysts are passed in the faeces     
 
   
 
   
Transplacental infection results in congenital infection of puppies which is the most typical presentation of the disease. More than 1 puppy in a litter may be affected, although this may not occur simultaneously. Successive litters can be affected, therefore a dam whelping an infected litter should not be allowed to breed again.  
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Transplacental infection results in congenital infection of puppies which is the most typical presentation of the disease. More than one puppy in a litter may be affected, although this may not occur simultaneously. Successive litters can be affected, therefore a dam whelping an infected litter should not be allowed to breed again.  
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Other methods of infection include ingestion of sporulated oocysts from dog faecal matter and ingestion of tissue cysts in the tissues of intermediate or incidental hosts, for example bovine placenta.
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==Signalment==
 
==Signalment==
 
Puppies are most frequently affected. Hunting dogs are also over represented.  
 
Puppies are most frequently affected. Hunting dogs are also over represented.  

Revision as of 21:16, 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.

The sexual phase of replication takes place in the gastrointestinal tract of dogs, oocysts are passed in the faeces

Transplacental infection results in congenital infection of puppies which is the most typical presentation of the disease. More than one puppy in a litter may be affected, although this may not occur simultaneously. Successive litters can be affected, therefore a dam whelping an infected litter should not be allowed to breed again.

Other methods of infection include ingestion of sporulated oocysts from dog faecal matter and ingestion of tissue cysts in the tissues of intermediate or incidental hosts, for example bovine placenta.

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


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