SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT OF CNS DYSFUNCTION DUE TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER
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Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, is a well-known problem in certain areas of the USA. Normally, the mortality rate increases if CNS signs occur. But as these case reports show, it is worth to treat these dogs.
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Five dogs from the northeastern United States were presented with clinical signs of neurological disease associated with Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) infection.
Four of the five dogs had vestibular system dysfunction.
Other neurological signs included paresis, tremors, and changes in mentation.
All of the dogs had an elevated indirect fluorescent antibody titer or a positive semiquantitative enzyme screening immunoassay titer for Rickettsia rickettsii at the time of presentation.
Although a higher mortality rate has been reported for dogs with neurological symptoms and RMSF infection, all of the dogs in this study improved with appropriate medical therapy and supportive care.
Source: Jessica S. Mikszewski, Charles H. Vite (2005): Central Nervous System Dysfunction Associated With Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Infection in Five Dogs. In: Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 41:259-266 (2005)
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