Neospora caninum is a parasite that causes neosporosis in several animal species including the dog.
It is called an obligate parasite because it can only fulfill its life cycle within a host.
In this specific case, Neospora has two types of hosts: an intermediate host (sheep, cattle, rodents, birds) and a definitive host, the dog.
The intermediate host retains the parasite within the organism while the definitive host expels it in its infectious form.
As intermediate and final, the dog is also called a complete host.
The life cycle of Neospora Caninum: tachyzoites, bradyzoites, oocysts
The reproductive stage within the host is the tachyzoite stage.
At this stage it enters the interior of cells and forms vacuoles where it reproduces ad infinitum until it ruptures the cell, thus releasing thousands more tachyzoites that infect other cells.
At this point the immune system comes into play, which destroys all the tachyzoites in circulation.
Unfortunately, this is not enough: the parasite feeling threatened stops reproduction, embeds itself in the muscles and central nervous system, and then transforms into a bradyzoite.
Inside the cysts is unassailable by the immune system, and by doing so, it ensures survival.
How dogs get infected
Neospora caninum infects dogs:
– Transplacentally (during pregnancy) from mother to pups
– by ingestion of infected feces where the parasite is found in its last reproductive stage i.e. in the form of oocysts
– by ingestion of infected meat where encysted bradyzoites are found; the cysts once digested, release the bradyzoites that transform into tachyzoites infecting host cells.
Symptoms of neosporosis
The disease manifests with predominantly neuromuscular symptoms.
An adult dog infested with the parasite may not even show obvious symptoms.
A puppy under the age of six months, on the other hand, presents the first symptoms starting from the third week of infection and more specifically:
- atrophy of the fore or hind limbs
- Forelimb or hindlimb paralysis (hindlimbs are most affected)
- muscle rigidity
Other symptoms that might occur are:
– diarrhea
– lack of coordination
– pneumonia
– hemorrhagic enteritis
– myocarditis
– encephalitis
Unfortunately, neosporosis, especially if diagnosed late can lead to paralysis, chronic inflammation of the muscles or nervous system, and death.
The diagnosis of canine neosporosis
From observation of the feces, it is possible to detect the presence of feces however, the dog may also be apparently uninfected.
Only serological tests can ascertain the presence of the parasite because they investigate the presence of antibodies in the blood.
It is important that the diagnosis be prompt so that drug treatment can be effective and prevent irreversible damage from occurring.
Prevention is still always the most effective weapon
The most frequent occurrences of this disease are in rural areas used for grazing.
In fact, Neospora caninum is a major and most important cause of infectious abortion in cattle.
However, whether in the country or in the city, special attention should be paid to the feces of other dogs, which yours might smell and eat.
And again, see to it that it never comes into contact with aborted placentas or fetuses, and do not feed raw or inadequately cooked meat.
To have your dog or cat checked for feces, contact the veterinary doctors on our staff who are always available to you.
We would also like to remind you that Clinica La Veterinaria is always open h24 every day including holidays and with First Aid service from 8 pm to 8 am.
