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Neosporosis presenting as temporal muscle atrophy in a dog

This case report describes an atypical presentation of neosporosis in a dog that initially presented as bilateral temporal muscle atrophy. Following initiation of prednisolone treatment for the presumed masticatory muscle myositis, a worsening in the dog’s physical condition and ambulation rapidly became evident. The dog progressed to a severe non-ambulatory tetraparesis with inability to swallow, despite discontinuation of prednisolone and initiation of clindamycin and potentiated sulphonamide once a diagnosis of generalised Neospora caninum myositis was reached. Nine days after treatment with clindamycin and potentiated sulphonamide was commenced the dog began to show some voluntary muscle control, and was discharged fully ambulatory 15 days after hospitalisation. This case highlights an unusual presentation of neosporosis and demonstrates that medical therapy, along with intensive nursing, can result in a good outcome even with severe generalised disease.