Neosporosis in a young dog presenting with dermatitis and neuromuscular signs

J Small Anim Pract. 2005 Feb;46(2):85-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2005.tb00298.x.

Abstract

A 16-week-old, male boxer dog developed multifocal nodular dermatitis followed by rapidly progressive and fatal neuromuscular disease. Protozoal tachyzoites were demonstrated by aspiration and biopsy of dermal lesions. Necropsy and histology revealed necrotising inflammation associated with intralesional protozoal organisms in various organs including the brain, heart, skeletal muscle and skin. Serology suggested active infection with Neospora caninum. Immunohistochemistry provided a definitive diagnosis. Dermatitis is a finding rarely associated with juvenile neosporosis. The possible role of immunosuppression is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Coccidiosis / diagnosis
  • Coccidiosis / veterinary*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Dog Diseases / pathology
  • Dogs
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Neospora*
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / veterinary*
  • Skin Diseases, Parasitic / diagnosis
  • Skin Diseases, Parasitic / veterinary*