Clinical and Diagnostic Studies on Common Causes of Canine Meningeo-Encephalitis in Egypt

Abstract

Canine meningeo-encephalitis triggered many causes, some of them can be distinguished and others are invisible and have a great challenge with small animal clinicians. The present study was conducted to detect the common causes of meningeo-encephalitis among dogs that were admitted to the small animal clinic, Faculty of veterinary medicine, Cairo University, Egypt from March to December 2019. About twenty-eight dogs were studied and included thirteen apparently healthy dogs while fifteen dogs suffered from meningeo-encephalitis. All dogs subjected to thorough clinical examination. Whole blood and serum samples were taken for evaluation of hematobiochemical changes. In addition, conjunctival and nasal swabs were taken for rapid detection of canine distemper virus infection (CDV) infection. Also, fecal samples were taken for detection of parasitic infection. Results showed that CDV is the most recorded cause for meningeo-encephalitis. Other causes were recorded included Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Babesia canis and head trauma. Physical examination revealed significant increase in both respiration and heart rates in affected dogs. Hematological status revealed significant decrease in RBCs count and relative lymphocytes in affected dogs while there was a significant increase in WBCs count and relative neutrophils. Biochemical status indicated significant decrease in serum albumin and A/G ratio while there was a significant increase in serum activity of aspartate amino transferase (AST) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level among diseased dogs. CDV infection is the most recorded cause for meningeo-encephalitis in dogs beside Toxocara spp., Babesia canis and head trauma. Infectious causes have an impact on physical, hematological and biochemical status in affected dogs.