Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with abnormal eye movements caused by fungal brain infection
By Lovato, Lydia et al.·Published in Veterinary medicine and science·2025·Veterinary Neurological Center, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Convergence Retraction Nystagmus Secondary to Central Nervous System Disseminated Coccidioides Immitis Infection in a Dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A Belgian Malinois dog in Phoenix was brought to the vet for unusual eye movements, specifically convergence-retraction nystagmus, where the eyes move in a jerky manner. An MRI revealed fungal granulomas in the brain caused by a Coccidioides immitis infection. After starting antifungal and anti-inflammatory treatments, the dog's symptoms improved quickly, and follow-up imaging showed that the brain lesions were resolving after 10 months. This case highlights a rare but treatable cause of eye problems in dogs.
People also search for: dog eye problems · Belgian Malinois convergence-retraction nystagmus · Coccidioides infection treatment
Abstract
This report describes a Belgian Malinois dog residing in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona that was presented to a veterinary neurology center with abnormal eye movements as his only clinical sign. On examination, clinical signs were isolated to convergence-retraction nystagmus. A brain MRI was performed which identified two well-demarcated, T2-hypointense and T1-isointense, avidly contrast enhancing mass lesions with moderate to severe perilesional T2 and FLAIR hyperintensity within the left frontal lobe and left dorsal midbrain. Imaging characteristics were most consistent with Coccidioides immitis fungal granulomas and serology was supportive of Coccidioidomycosis infection. The patient's clinical signs resolved quickly with antifungal and anti-inflammatory therapies, and brain granulomas were resolved or resolving on repeat imaging 10 months after initial diagnosis. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of convergence-retraction nystagmus secondary to an infectious etiology described in a canine patient.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40034009/