Neosporosis presenting as temporal muscle atrophy in a dog

Abstract

This case report describes an atypical presentation of neosporosis in a dog that initially presented as bilateral temporal muscle atrophy. Following initiation of prednisolone treatment for the presumed masticatory muscle myositis, a worsening in the dog’s physical condition and ambulation rapidly became evident. The dog progressed to a severe non-ambulatory tetraparesis with inability to swallow, despite discontinuation of prednisolone and initiation of clindamycin and potentiated sulphonamide once a diagnosis of generalised Neospora caninum myositis was reached. Nine days after treatment with clindamycin and potentiated sulphonamide was commenced the dog began to show some voluntary muscle control, and was discharged fully ambulatory 15 days after hospitalisation. This case highlights an unusual presentation of neosporosis and demonstrates that medical therapy, along with intensive nursing, can result in a good outcome even with severe generalised disease.

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dogs from greater Sydney, Australia unchanged from 1997 to 2019 and worldwide review of adult-onset of canine neosporosis

“…(2019) German Shepherd a 1 MN Generalised IFAT titre: 1:400, rising to 1:6,400 in four weeks Resolved Newton & Manens (2018) Labrador Retriever b 7 MN Neurological/myopathic Protozoa in muscle biopsies. IFAT titre: 1:800 Resolved Serrano & Freeman (2017) Cocker Spaniel a 10 FS Cutaneous IFAT titre: 1:6,400. PCR on skin sample Died Mann et al.…”