Systemic disseminated Neospora caninum infection with cutaneous lesions as the initial clinical presentation in a dog

This report describes a disseminated Neospora caninum infection with cutaneous involvement as the primary presenting clinical sign, in an apparently immunocompetent 7-year-old, spayed female boxer dog. The dog had an 8-day history of progressive lethargy associated with the appearance of multiple cutaneous and ulcerated masses, followed by an acute deterioration of her clinical status. Blood analysis revealed thrombocytopenia, increased liver enzyme activity, and partial thromboplastin time. Disseminated intravascular coagulation was suspected. Tachyzoites were identified on cutaneous cytology and species was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays on blood and cerebrospinal fluid. The post-mortem evaluation revealed involvement of the neurological system, liver, lung, and skin.