Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Nervous system infection signs and tests in six UK dogs
By Didiano, Alessandro et al.·Published in Veterinary Record Case Reports·2020·Neurology Dick White Referrals Six Mile Bottom UK, United Kingdom·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Canine central nervous system neosporosis: clinical, laboratory and diagnostic imaging findings in six dogs
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Six dogs in England were diagnosed with a serious infection of the central nervous system called neosporosis, which caused them to have trouble with coordination and balance. Blood tests showed high levels of a muscle enzyme, and spinal fluid tests revealed inflammation. MRI scans also showed abnormalities in five of the dogs. They were treated with a combination of antibiotics, clindamycin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, which helped improve their symptoms. However, one dog later developed thyroid issues, and another sadly passed away due to liver disease months later.
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Abstract
This report describes the clinical, neurological, laboratory and imaging findings in six dogs affected by CNS neosporosis and reviews previous publications. All dogs were born in England and never travelled outside the UK. Cerebellar and proprioceptive ataxia were the most common presenting neurological deficits. Markedly elevated creatine kinase in the serum was detected in four of the six dogs. Increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein concentration and mixed pleocytosis were present in five of the six dogs. Abnormal MRI findings were detected in five of the six dogs. The diagnosis was based on positive antibody titres on serum (1:800 or above) and positive PCR on CSF. All patients were treated with a combination of clindamycin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The clinical signs improved in all six cases. One dog developed hypothyroidism and another one died due to liver disease of unknown causes, respectively six and eight months after initial presentation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1136/vetreccr-2019-000905