Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with widespread Listeria infection causing circling and weakness
By Schroeder, H & van Rensburg, I B·Published in Journal of the South African Veterinary Association·1993·Department of Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Generalised Listeria monocytogenes infection in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 6-year-old female Doberman was brought to the vet after suddenly starting to circle, showing weakness on one side, and appearing depressed. The vet found several issues, including eye inflammation, abdominal pain, and decreased reflexes. Blood tests showed a low blood cell count, and further tests revealed a serious bacterial infection. Unfortunately, despite being treated with antibiotics, the dog passed away. An autopsy showed widespread inflammation in multiple organs, confirming the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacteria.
People also search for: dog circling and weakness · Doberman bacterial infection · dog depression and eye problems · Listeria infection in dogs · dog low blood cell count treatment
Abstract
A 6-year-old Doberman bitch was presented for an acute onset of circling, hemiparesis and depression. Clinical examination revealed conjunctivitis, abdominal pain, anaemia, decreased facial sensation, decreased jaw, tongue and pharyngeal tone, decreased conscious proprioception, decreased flexor withdrawal reflexes, and abnormal hemiwalking and hemistanding. Pancytopaenia was evident on haematological evaluation. Bone marrow cytology revealed a bacterial infection. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was normal. Despite antibiotic treatment, the dog died. On autopsy, widespread multifocal inflammatory lesions were found to be present in the lungs, liver, spleen, meninges, lymph nodes, adrenal glands and kidneys. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated in pure culture from these organs and tissues. Histopathological examination showed numerous gram-positive intracellular rod-shaped bacteria seen in all the above-mentioned organs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8176688/