Abstract
Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite of animals. Until 1988, it was misdiagnosed as Toxoplasma gondii. Since its first recognition in 1984 and the description of a new genus and species N. caninum in 1988, neosporosis has emerged as a serious disease of dogs and cattle worldwide. In addition, dog and other canids are the definitive hosts of the parasite that excrete the environmentally resistant oocysts in faeces. Neosporosis is a crippling disease of dogs, predominantly of Labradors and boxers. Currently available medicines do not eradicate the parasite from the body and some dogs die even after prolonged treatment. This paper reviews information on the life cycle, biology, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and control of neosporosis in dogs.