Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Neurological signs in a dog with visceral leishmaniasis in an endemic
By Silva, Bianca·Published in Pubvet·2020·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Sinais clínicos neurológicos, associados à leishmaniose visceral canina, em área endêmica: Relato de caso
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old mixed-breed dog from an area where leishmaniasis is common was brought in for neurological symptoms, including muscle spasms and abnormal posturing. The vet diagnosed the dog with canine visceral leishmaniasis, a disease caused by a parasite, after examining a lymph node and confirming the presence of the parasite through lab tests. Treatment options for leishmaniasis can vary, but the focus is often on managing symptoms and supporting the dog's health. While the outcome for this dog isn't detailed, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving the quality of life in affected pets.
People also search for: dog muscle spasms leishmaniasis · canine leishmaniasis treatment · dog neurological symptoms leishmania
Abstract
Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is a disease caused by a protozoan of the genre Leishmania spp. This zoonosis presents with several clinical manifestations in the infected host, from skin changes to systemic changes. Studies with dogs positive for visceral leishmaniasis have shown changes in the nervous tissue of these animals. This study aimed to report a case of a dog, naturally infected by Leishmania spp., presenting neurological changes associated with this protozoan. The present case is described by the manifestation of neurological signs of opstotone and spastic tetany in a dog from an endemic area, naturally infected by Leishmania spp. The parasitological diagnosis was performed after aspiration puncture with a fine needle (FNAP) of a popliteal lymph node, through the visualization, in an optical microscope, of amastigote forms of Leishmania spp. Subsequently confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) directed to the genus Leishmania. Canine visceral leishmaniasis is characterized by a wide and variable spectrum of clinical signs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.31533/pubvet.v14n10a663.1-5