“Gone in the back legs”
Richard Malik A , Derek Spielman B and Jan Šlapeta B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Centre for Veterinary Education
The University of Sydney,
NSW 2006, Australia
B Faculty of Veterinary Science,
The University of Sydney,
NSW 2006, Australia
Microbiology Australia 34(1) 8-12 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA13004
Published: 20 March 2013
Abstract
Neural angiostrongyliasis and neosporosis are the two most common infectious causes of spinal cord disease in young dogs. The former is caused by migration of Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm) larvae following ingestion of mollusc intermediate hosts, while the latter is caused by the apicomplexan protozoan Neospora caninum, acquired transplacentally, during parturition or in the neonatal period. This article gives the reader the perspective of a veterinarian confronted with the diagnosis and treatment of these two potentially life-threatening infections, taking into account differences in epidemiology and pathogenesis, and listing diagnostic tests available and affordable for most owners. The broader implications of these infections for other species, including people and wildlife, are discussed.
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