Clinical and clinicopathological features of non-suppurative meningoencephalitis in young greyhounds in Ireland

The clinical and clinicopathological features of non-suppurative meningoencephalitis in 30 greyhounds were reviewed. The dogs were from 21 separate litters, comprised both sexes (16 males and 14 females) and ranged in age from five to 18 months. In 14 (66.7 per cent) litters, more than one case was suspected or confirmed, and the number of siblings affected within individual litters ranged from one to seven. Clinical signs were progressive and varied from five days to 12 months in duration; 12 dogs had signs of two weeks' duration or less. The rate of progression of signs was variable. Common features included dullness or lethargy (22), altered behaviour (21), proprioceptive and postural reaction deficits (18), circling (17), ataxia (17), decreased appetite (15) and weight loss (13). No consistent haematological or biochemical abnormalities were identified and serology failed to implicate Toxoplasma gondii or Neospora caninum. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed mild or moderate mononuclear pleocytosis in 12 (70.6 per cent) of 17 dogs. No definitive antemortem diagnosis could be made in any affected dog.