Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Suspected clinical toxoplasmosis in a 12-week-old puppy in Singapore.
- Journal:
- BMC veterinary research
- Year:
- 2023
- Authors:
- Chen, Audrey et al.
- Affiliation:
- Centre for Animal Rehabilitation
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 12-week-old puppy in Singapore was found to be weak in its back legs and had trouble breathing after being trapped from an offshore island. The puppy showed signs of a serious condition that got worse quickly, and tests revealed it had been infected with a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. After starting treatment with a medication called clindamycin, the puppy improved quickly and was able to go home after 10 days. This case highlights the need for veterinarians in Singapore to consider toxoplasmosis as a possible cause of similar symptoms in dogs, especially those that spend time outdoors.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is traditionally known as a parasite of felids, with possible infection in intermediate hosts such as dogs and humans, and thus a disease of public health significance. Published data on the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in dogs and cats in Singapore is scanty, and this paper documents a suspect clinical case of toxoplasmosis in a free-roaming puppy trapped from an offshore island of Singapore. CASE PRESENTATION: A 12-week-old puppy presented with hindlimb weakness and sarcopenia, with rapidly progressing ascending paralysis and respiratory distress, one week after trapping. Toxoplasmosis was suspected after indirect fluorescence antibody testing (IFAT) revealed anti-T. gondii antibodies. The puppy responded quickly to clindamycin treatment and was discharged from hospital after 10 days. CONCLUSION: While rare and undocumented, veterinary clinicians in Singapore are advised to also include toxoplasmosis infection as a differential diagnosis in dogs presenting with similar clinical signs. This is especially so for dogs which have access to the outdoors.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37542292/