Neospora caninum is a microscopic protozoan parasite that is a major cause of bovine abortion all through the world.
Neosporosis is a form of infectious disease that exists in different families of dogs. But, apart from dogs, other animals can get the infection too, the likes of goats, sheep, deer, and horses are not exempted as well.
It is in the intestine of domestic or wild dogs that the egg-producing stage of Neospora caninum life cycle takes place. There is a strong possibility that we the eggs passed through the feces of dogs would be ingested by an intermediate host like cattle.
Whenever the aborted fetus or fetal membranes are consumed by dogs, the parasite takes its time to infect the dogs, and then shed eggs, at this point, the life cycle is complete.
Neosporosis can be classified into different stages;
Oocysts are an environmental stage that is formed in the canine intestinal epithelium and it's normally passed within the feces.
Tachyzoites actively invade the tissues at this asexually rapidly growing stage that is present during the acute phase of infection.
Brandyzoites is the final classification stage which encyst within tissues.
Typically, two categories of neosporosis have been described. We have the juvenile form which is characterized by rigid extension, and muscle atrophy of the pelvic limbs.
The disease is more severe amongst congeniality-infected puppies. There would be an occurrence of more than one litter mate that would have paralysis of rare limbs, usually shown with hyperextension that begins weeks after birth.
Myositis can then develop into a case of rigid muscle contractures, articular deformation, joint curvature, and arthrogryposis. There is also a strong possibility of cervical weakness which eventually leads to death.
The adult form may be happening as a result of a recent infection with N.caninum, or maybe pregnancy or an immunocompromised condition. Necrotizing cerebellitis with a multifocal nervous system is noticed.
Neosporosis is found all over the globe, the infections amongst clinically healthy dogs are more than those in clinically presented dogs. Dogs roaming around the street, rural dogs, and those who live in a large presence of cattle are usually more susceptible.
A little can be done about preventing the existence of neosporosis in our animals, we can ensure that our dogs are not allowed in any way to ingest bovine placental tissues, fetal membranes, or other raw meats.
The contamination of livestock feed with canine feces should also be prevented in all forms.
Maintaining a standard of high hygiene on every level is essential for the prevention of neosporosis and other infections.
agriculture/biosecurity/animals
