Case Report: Meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin in foxes (and): insights into the diagnostic challenges in carnivore neurology.

Abstract

Emerging diseases in wildlife pose significant diagnostic challenges, with increasing evidence that not all cases of inflammatory disease can be directly attributed to infectious pathogens. This case series shows the results of clinical examination, magnetic resonance imaging, and necropsy results of two foxes, a silver fox () and a polar fox (), with non-suppurative meningoencephalomyelitis. Extensive diagnostics, including pathogen screening and next-generation sequencing, failed to identify a definitive causative infectious agent. These cases suggest the possibility of an immunopathologic disease, highlighting the need for immunological assessments in wildlife disease investigations.