Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The parasite Neospora caninum is an intracellular protozoa discovered in the late 1980s. N. caninum has an indirect lifecycle which means it needs a definitive host and an intermediate host. The confirmed definitive host for N. caninum is dog and the intermediate hosts are among others dog and cattle. The parasite has been found in many parts of the world and is an important cause of abortion in cattle and severe disease in dogs.

Young dogs often develop hind limp paralysis as the main symptom, while middle-aged and older dogs often develop more diffuse symptoms as ataxia, pneumonia and dermatitis. In today’s literature the discussion is divided into two opinions whether the difference in symptoms depends on the age of the dog or the status of the immune system. There also seems to be a breed predisposition to the disease since most of the reported cases concerns three breeds; Boxer, Labrador retriever and Greyhound.

This review describes the different symptoms and clinical findings found in dogs infected with N. caninum. Furthermore, the theories whether the age and breed of a dog can determine the symptoms after an infection caused by N. caninum, are discussed.