Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Doberman treated for low platelets had muscle weakness from Neospora
By Henry, Perrine et al.·Published in Veterinary medicine and science·2025·Internal Medicine Department, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Successful Management of Presumed Reactivation of Neospora caninum Following Immunosuppression for Immune Thrombocytopenia in an Adult Doberman.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old female Doberman was brought to the vet because she was very tired and had low blood cell counts. After some tests, the vet found she had a condition called immune thrombocytopenia, which was causing her anemia. She received blood transfusions and medications to help her recover, but 10 days later, she showed new symptoms like weakness and muscle loss. Tests revealed she had high levels of antibodies for a parasite called Neospora caninum, likely due to her earlier treatment weakening her immune system. The vet adjusted her medications and added an antibiotic, leading to a full recovery without any long-term issues.
People also search for: Doberman anemia treatment · Neospora caninum in dogs · dog muscle weakness after medication
Abstract
A 5-year old, vaccinated, untravelled and neutered female Doberman with occasional exposure to raw food presented for investigation of severe thrombocytopenia and anaemia. Extensive investigations led to a diagnosis of non-associative immune thrombocytopenia, with secondary bleeds resulting in anaemia. Management with repeated packed red blood cell transfusions, vincristine (0.02 mg/kg single intravenous injection), prednisolone (50 mg/m/day) and mycophenolate (10 mg/kg twice daily) allowed normalisation of haematology parameters. Scheduled reassessment 10 days after discharge revealed lethargy, ataxia, wide-based stance and marked generalised muscle wastage. Platelet count remained normal, but biochemistry was supportive of muscle damage. Neospora caninum antibodies were elevated (indirect fluorescence antibodies > 1600). Rapid tapering of prednisolone alongside clindamycin (20 mg/kg twice daily) allowed a complete recovery. Mycophenolate was slowly tapered and discontinued after 12 weeks, as was antibiotic therapy. This case describes the successful management of a dog with presumed neuromuscular neosporosis, suspected secondary to reactivation of the parasite from immunosuppression, and absence of long-term complications.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40434946/