Canine neosporosis is a parasitic disease caused by a protozoan. It can affect several animal species, although, above all, cases are known in cattle and dogs, especially puppies. The clinical picture it causes usually has as its protagonist a neuromuscular symptomatology
In this article on our site we will explain everything you need to know about canine neosporosis (Neospora caninum), its symptoms and treatment. It is very important to point out that we must start treatment as soon as possible, since it can be fatal.
What is neosporosis?
Canine neosporosis is a disease caused by the protozoan Neospora caninum, an obligate intracellular parasite. Its name comes from the fact that it was discovered as a new genus of coccidia, another parasite that can affect different animals, and because it was found for the first time in dogs, although bovine neosporosis, so it is not an exclusive pathology of dogs. In cattle, this disease is one of the main causes of abortion.
Currently the definitive hosts of this parasite are considered to be dog, coyote, dingo, and gray wolf But To complete its life cycle, it needs intermediate hosts such as ruminants, wild ungulates, rodents and birds. Infected dogs shed the parasite in their feces and, thus, contaminate pastures, water or livestock bedding, this process being the main source of contagion for Cattle and, in turn, dogs become infected when they ingest material from cattle or other intermediate hosts that contains the parasite, for example, a placenta.
Neospora in puppies
Canine neosporosis was first detected in puppies who experienced paralysis and early death. And, precisely, neuromuscular involvement with rapid progression is one of the signs that we are going to be able to observe in affected animals. Specifically, in younger animals the fundamental clinical sign is ascending paralysis with greater damage to the hind legs.
Difficulty swallowing, jaw paralysis, muscle flaccidity and atrophy, heart failure, pneumonia or increased size have also been observed of the liver. Dermatitis has even been seen, which would be a rare sign of this pathology, that is, an infrequent manifestation. Dermatitis in dogs with neosporosis could be due to a state of immunosuppression generated by the disease itself.
In addition to the transmission route that we have explained, puppies can be infected directly from their mother. There is still not much information on how congenital infection occurs. These cases are the most serious. Puppies and dogs under one year of age are the animals most frequently affected by neosporosis, although the disease also manifests itself in older animals.
Although it is not a very common disease, it should always be included in the diagnosis if neurological signs appear that affect a young dog, especially if progressive paralysis of the posterior third has occurred.
Canine neosporosis symptoms
The parasite preferentially attacks the tissues of the central nervous system. The symptoms it causes are similar to those of canine toxoplasmosis, which is another protozoan disease. In fact, it is not uncommon for a neosporosis to be misdiagnosed as toxoplasmosis. The difference is that in neosporosis, due to the parasite's predilection, there are more muscular and neurological signs
In adult animals, signs due to central nervous system involvement have been described, myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle, or polymyositis or inflammation of muscle fibers and skin. seizures and behavioral changes may also occur. The dog will be listless and stop eating. There is a rapid test that allows detecting the presence of the parasite in an animal that we suspect of suffering from the disease.
Sometimes, the infested animal does not show any symptoms but, in general, it is a parasite capable of seriously affecting the dog's he alth. In subclinical cases, symptoms may appear when the animal, for whatever reason, sees its immune system weakened. The veterinarian will look at the clinical picture and the lesions that may appear in the affected organs to reach the diagnosis. A blood test may reveal abnormal liver parameters.
In the following video by Vet. Hek. Cevdet ÇAL on YouTube we can see the clinical signs of this pathology:
Is Neospora caninum curable?
There is no vaccine against this disease but different drugs are used for its treatment, including antibiotics for dogs and antiprotozoals. Therefore, it is a curable disease, although we must know that some animals cannot overcome the clinical picture caused by the parasite and die of heart, respiratory or liver problems. In any case, the prognosis is guarded and will depend on the speed with which treatment is started and the damage caused by the parasite.
