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Neospora caninum infection was diagnosed in 5 young dogs from 2 litters with a common parentage. The pups were born healthy, but developed hind limb paresis 5 to 8 weeks after birth. The predominant lesions were polyradiculoneuritis and granulomatous polymyositis. Neospora caninum was seen microscopically in sections of naturally infected pups, and was isolated in cell cultures, mice, and dogs inoculated with infected canine tissues. Antibodies to N caninum were detected in sera of infected dogs by indirect fluorescent antibody test. not related to dog 1, was mated with dog 2 and whelped 7 pups (litter 3). One pup died at 3 weeks of age, probably from pneumonia, and was not necropsied. Three pups developed hind limb paresis at approximately 8 weeks of age. Two of these 3 pups (dogs 8 and 9) were euthanatized at 12 weeks of age and necropsied; the third was euthanatized by the owner and was not necropsied. Three healthy pups were sold.

Clotted and unclotted blood samples (EDTA tubes) from dogs 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 were analyzed for hematologic values. Sera were stored at-70 C until used for serologic examinations. From each of the 5 dogs that were necropsied, portions of skin, eyes, cerebrum, cerebellum, pons, medulla, spinal cord, lungs, heart, liver, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, kidneys, adrenal glands, small and large intestines, stomach, urinary bladder, spinal nerves, and skeletal muscles from all 4 limbs including the vastus lateralis, semimembranosus, gluteus medius, biceps femoris, supraspinatus, subscapularis, and triceps brachii were fixed in neutral buffered 10% formalin. Paraffin-embedded tissues were cut …