Neosporosis in dogs and cats
Common info
Neosporosis is a serious condition in dogs, caused by the disturbance of the protozoa called Neospora caninum that resides in the host cell. Neosporosis is one of the most common causes of abortion in cows. There is no report of Neosporosis in cats. When the dog is infected with Neosporosis, their legs will become stiff, ascending paralysis, the muscles atrophy, rigid limbs (stiffness legs), ataxia, seizures, cerebellar disease (loss of muscles coordination from the brain and spinal cord), myocarditis (cardiac muscle inflammation), or death.
History
Neosporosis was first found in dogs from Norway in 1984 and officially named Neosporosis in 1988.
Description
Neosporosis causes abortion in cattle and paralysis in other animals, and have a high ability to spread Neosporosis. Animals can receive Neosporosis by consuming contaminated water and food, or tissue that is infected with Neosporosis. It can also be transmitted from mother to their puppies.
Symptoms
- Ascending paralysis
- Ataxia
- Cerebellar disease
- Death
- Myocarditis
- Muscle atrophy
- Rigid limbs
- Seizures
- Dysphagia
- Stiffness legs
Neosporosis in young dogs will show signs of Ascending paralysis, muscle atrophy, rigid limbs (over the hind legs), dysphagia, ataxia, death
Neosporosis in older dogs will show seizures, tremors, cerebellar disease (loss of muscles coordination from the brain and spinal cord), myocarditis (cardiac muscle inflammation)
Treatment and Prevention
There is no medicine for Neosporosis in dogs and cats. There are only drugs that control symptoms, and also physiotherapy may be considered. If Neosporosis is detected quickly, it can be treated more efficiently. Prevention of Neosporosis in dogs and cats includes avoiding the breeding of dogs that have Neosporosis and should not allow dogs to eat raw meat, especially beef.
- Wikipedia | Information of Neospora caninum
- Wikipedia | Information of Neospora
- Wikivet | Neosporosis in dog
- Wag! | Neosporosis in Dogs
- Wag! | Neospora Caninum in Dogs
- Gsbooks | Effect of neosporosis on reproductive performance of dairy cattle (Thai version)
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- Dubey, J.P., M.C.B. Vianna, O.C.H. Kwok, P.E. Hill, K.B. Miska, W. Tou, G.V. Velmurugan, M.Conors and M.C. Jankins. 2007. Neosporosis in Beagle dogs: Clinical signs, diagnois, treatment, isolation and genetic characterization of Neospora caninum. Vet. Parasitol. 149: 158-166.
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- Lindsay, D.S., J.P. Dubey and R.B. Duncan. 1999. Confirmation that the dog is a definitive host for Neospora caninum. Vet. Parasitol. 82: 327-333.
- McAllistera, M.M., J.P. Dubey, D.S. Lindsay, W. R. Jolley, R.A. Wills and A.M. McGuire. 1998. RAPID COMMUNICATION Dogs are de_nitive hosts of Neospora caninum. International Journal for Parasitology. 23: 1473-1478.
