Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis in Dogs with Neurological Signs at the University of Ibadan Veterinary Clinic

Neurological disorders in dogs represent a challenging diagnostic category in Nigerian veterinary practice, given the limited availability of advanced imaging modalities. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis provides valuable supplementary diagnostic information regarding central nervous system inflammation, infection, and degenerative disease. This study evaluated cerebrospinal fluid characteristics in dogs presenting with neurological signs at the Veterinary Clinic of the University of Ibadan, South West Nigeria. Twenty dogs presenting with clinical signs including seizures, circling, ataxia, or paresis were selected over an 18-month period. Under general anaesthesia, cerebrospinal fluid was collected from the cisterna magna and analysed for colour, turbidity, total nucleated cell count, differential cytology, total protein, glucose, and microbial culture. Fourteen of the 20 animals had abnormal cerebrospinal fluid findings. Pleocytosis was detected in 11 dogs, predominantly neutrophilic in seven and mononuclear in four. Elevated total protein above 0.45 g/L was present in 13 dogs. Bacterial culture was positive in two cases, yielding Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Pasteurella multocida. Cryptococcal antigen testing was positive in one dog. These findings indicate that infectious encephalitis is a common cause of neurological disease in dogs in Ibadan. The study reinforces the diagnostic utility of cerebrospinal fluid analysis and highlights the need for a systematic neurological diagnostic protocol at Nigerian veterinary teaching institutions. Keywords: cerebrospinal fluid, dogs, neurological, pleocytosis, Ibadan.