Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
08:39
Ferric Chloride-induced Canine Carotid Artery Thrombosis: A Large Animal Model of Vascular Injury
Published on: September 7, 2018
9.0K
Suspected bacterial ventriculitis in a nine-month-old Goldendoodle
L C Loubser1, W J Botha1, C le Roux1
1Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
|February 25, 2025
Summary
This case report details a dog with bacterial ventriculitis, an uncommon intracranial infection. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for this often fatal condition, presenting with atypical seizures.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Infectious Diseases in Animals
Background:
- Bacterial ventriculitis is a rare but severe complication of intracranial bacterial infections.
- It often presents with neurological signs, including seizures, and carries a high mortality rate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first suspected case of bacterial ventriculitis in a dog in South Africa.
- To describe the atypical clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, and rapid progression of this condition.
Main Methods:
- A nine-month-old Goldendoodle presented with acute seizures, initially diagnosed as idiopathic epilepsy.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed findings consistent with bacterial ventriculitis.
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and bacterial culture were pending at the time of treatment initiation.
Main Results:
- The dog experienced breakthrough seizures despite initial treatment for presumed epilepsy.
- MRI findings were indicative of bacterial ventriculitis.
- The patient unfortunately succumbed to the condition shortly after treatment began.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial ventriculitis can present atypically in dogs, mimicking other neurological disorders.
- Prompt and accurate diagnosis, potentially aided by advanced imaging like MRI, is critical.
- This case highlights the challenges in diagnosing and treating this severe intracranial infection in veterinary medicine.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
01:24Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
01:18Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis
Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
01:22Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction
A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...