Necrotizing Cerebellitis Due to Neospora caninum in an English Springer Spaniel
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A six-year-old, female spayed, English Springer Spaniel was presented to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals Emergency Service for evaluation of progressive incoordination and a head tilt for two months. The patient had no noteworthy medical history but had extensive travel history as a show dog. Treatment by the referring veterinarian produced mild improvement following an anti-inflammatory dose of prednisone. Neurologic examination by the Neurology Service localized the abnormalities to the right cerebellomedullary angle. Magnetic Resonance Imaging revealed a necrotizing cerebellitis, typical of Neospora caninum infection. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed mild inflammation. Infectious disease diagnostics were positive for Neospora caninum and negative for Ricketts/a rickettsii, Canine Distemper Virus, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Toxoplasma gondii. The patient was treated with clindamycin, doxycycline, prednisone, trimethoprim/sulfamethbxazole, and folic acid and showed progressive improvement over time. This case report reviews the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for dogs with central nervous system neosporosis.