Parasitic Infection (Neosporosis) in Dogs
Key takeaways
Neosporosis is a severe parasitic infection in dogs affecting the muscles and nervous system, caused by Neospora parasites.
- Puppies under six months of age are more likely to develop symptoms than adult dogs
- The infection passes by ingesting contaminated raw meat, or from the mother if she carries the infection
- Common symptoms include limb paralysis, muscle pain, difficulty swallowing, and uncoordinated movement
- In most cases, diagnosis is based on symptoms and history of exposure; specific tests include antibody testing, muscle biopsy, and identification of parasitic DNA
- Once diagnosed, treatment includes anti-parasitic drugs, antibiotic therapy, and supportive care
- Prognosis is good in the case of adult dog exposure when they do not develop symptoms
- Puppies or adult dogs showing symptoms carry a guarded to poor prognosis and require immediate medical support
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A closer look: Parasitic Infection (Neosporosis) in Dogs
Neosporosis is a rare, potentially life-threatening condition that must be treated as an emergency. Adult dogs tend to show no symptoms; puppies (under six months of age) are more likely to develop symptomatic neosporosis.
No vaccine is currently available; as such, prevention is paramount.
Risk factors
Dogs living on or near farms are more likely to come into contact with the Neospora caninum parasite and are therefore more likely to develop neosporosis.
Adult dogs tend not to develop any symptoms of neosporosis.
Possible causes
Neosporosis is caused by the Neospora caninum parasite.
The life cycle of Neospora begins when eggs are shed in the feces of an infected dog. Eggs ingested by cattle form cysts in the muscle tissue, producing meat that can potentially spread the infection. Dogs that ingest contaminated meat become infected, and begin to shed eggs in their feces.
Dogs can become infected by:
- Ingesting the placenta of infected cattle
- Eating raw meat
Infected pregnant dogs can transmit neosporosis both during pregnancy and delivery.
Main symptoms
Most adult dogs do not show any symptoms of neosporosis.
Symptoms of neosporosis generally only present in puppies.
Testing and diagnosis
In most cases, diagnosis is based on the symptoms shown, the patients' history, and a potential history of exposure. Specific diagnostic tests include:
- Physical examination
- Identification of antibodies against the parasite in the bloodstream
- Biopsy: tissue biopsy is used to detect the parasite in muscle tissue
- Detection of oocysts in feces
- Testing to identify parasitic DNA
Steps to Recovery
Once diagnosed, treatment options include:
- Anti-parasitic drugs
- Antibiotics
- Supportive care
In young puppies that develop symptoms, it is recommended to treat all puppies in the litter, as their most likely route of exposure was through the mother.
Adult dogs tend to carry a good prognosis, with most animals never developing symptoms.
Infected puppies or adult dogs showing symptoms carry a guarded to poor prognosis.
The prognosis for symptomatic animals is dependent on the progression of symptoms and the timing of treatment. Treatment is often prolonged, taking a minimum of 8 weeks.
Prevention
No vaccines are currently available. Prevention strategies include:
- Keeping dogs separate from cattle
- Immediate and proper disposal of cattle placentas
- Paying close attention to dogs while on walks
- Not feeding unknown or raw meat to dogs
- Not breeding bitches who have been previously diagnosed with neosporosis
Is Parasitic Infection (Neosporosis) in Dogs common?
Exposure to neosporosis is common due to the indiscriminate eating practices of dogs, but developing symptoms is rare. Puppies under six months are more likely to develop neosporosis.
Dogs living on farms are more likely to come into contact with the Neospora caninum parasite.
Typical Treatment
- Anti-parasitic drugs
- Antibiotics
- Supportive care
