Dogs may suffer from a variety of clinical manifestations of N. caninum infection (ranging from dermatitis to pneumonia), but as in cattle, abortions, stillbirths and neonatal deaths are frequent occurrences, while an ascending paralysis of the hind legs is almost pathognomonic in affected dogs less than six months of age.
An elevated IFAT titre in a dog (> 1:800) with clinical signs of disease would confirm infection. Clinically unaffected dogs can have titres of 1:200 indicating previous exposure and seroconversion.
Species:
Canine
Specimen:
Serum (minimum 1 ml)
Container:
Plain or gel tube
Collection protocol:
Standard venepuncture