Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fungal spine infection in 11 dogs including German shepherds: signs
By Okonji, Samuel et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2025·Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical Signs, Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Findings, Treatment, and Outcome of Mycotic Discospondylitis in 11 Dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Eleven dogs were diagnosed with mycotic discospondylitis, an infection causing inflammation in the spine, and they all showed signs of pain and difficulty walking. Most of these dogs were German shepherds, and advanced imaging like MRI helped confirm the diagnosis by showing affected discs and identifying fungal infections. Unfortunately, despite treatment with antifungal medications, ten of the dogs passed away within about 30 days. This highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, although the prognosis remains poor for this condition.
People also search for: dog back pain · mycotic discospondylitis treatment · German shepherd spine infection · dog fungal infection symptoms
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Discospondylitis refers to inflammation of the intervertebral disc and adjacent vertebral endplates. The literature on mycotic discospondylitis (MD) in dogs is limited. OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical and advanced diagnostic imaging findings, therapeutic strategies, and outcomes in dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of MD. ANIMALS: Eleven client-owned dogs with a diagnosis of MD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records from five veterinary neurological referral centers were retrospectively reviewed between 2017 and 2024. The confirmed diagnosis of MD was based on clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and the detection of fungal hyphae in urine, intervertebral disc, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). RESULTS: German shepherd (GS) were the most prevalent breed (7/11). Pain was the main clinical sign reported in all dogs, associated with gait abnormalities in 9 dogs. T3-L3 neuroanatomical localization was described in 10 dogs. MRI showed multiple intervertebral disc involvement in 7 dogs. Fungal hyphae were identified in urine sediment in 5 dogs and by CT-guided needle aspiration of the affected disc in 2 dogs. Aspergillus spp. was the most common etiological agent being reported in 7 dogs. Ten dogs were dead at the end of data analysis, with a median survival time of 30 days. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This case series demonstrates the necessity of accurate diagnosis to set an appropriate treatment, despite the poor prognosis after antifungal therapy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40270003/